Mardi Gras Spirit Lifter
Month: March 2014
GMG Local Outstanding Food Value Post
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This copied from the discussion on the GMG Community Group Page-
About to begin writing a new page for GMG highlighting the best local food values.
Examples: Leonardo’s currently has $6.99 lg cheese pizzas on Monday and Tuesday.
There’s some great deals available every day on http://www.udine4less.com
Destinos eat-in salad bar.
Mamie’s Kitchen $5 Fridays
I want to find the absolute best food values in town and highlight them.
To do this Ill need your help.
Please help with the list. What are some great local food deals folks can take advantage of?
I’m posting this first here to Google plus. Let’s see what we can come up with.
awesome idea!!!
The smoked salmon and smoked mackerel at Steve Connolly Seafood. I’ve got a minor addiction going now I cannot take that corner without stopping. Forget what the price is but it seems really cheap for the amount..
The ready to eat Eggplant Parm at Market Basket.
+Paul T Morrison next time you go, report back on the price if you would.
Hmm, I think that would be Happy Birthday Smoked Salmon on Friday! I will be sure to note the price.
The Shepherds’ Pie at Stones. All of my suggestions look at the bang for the buck (except I cannot remember the exact price) and the Stones Shepherd’s Pie is the humongous bowl.
Ok Paul… thanks for that tip about smoked fish…Im going this week yum!
They say they smoke it there and I believe them. I might retire my smoker if their smoked bluefish is as highly rated as their mackerel and salmon. The question on the bluefish though is where do they get bluefish this time of year?
So the best deal in town is free right? And by free I am thinking the food you get for free if it’s your birthday! I might try that on Friday. Hit as many places that have free stuff for birthday boy! Did I mention Friday is my birthday? 😉
If you know of any places that give birthday breaks send them along STAT.
Awesome…..Farm .35 wings thurs. Espresso .25 Wings if a game is on. Good Wings !! Lat43 all u can eat Sushi Mon $25, Midori lunch buffet $9,
Farm kids eat free Mon
It would smart if Restaurants would post such deals to a possible page. I know there is less of it during summer
+Rich B awesome! Thanks for the help. With help from everyone it will be an awesome list. No way I could remember them all on my own
Anyone know how much Sclafanis charges for a sandwich? That’s a great value. And the lg steak and cheese at Market Basket too.
First and last hour one dollar oysters at Short and Main, West End. I have not done this yet, maybe this weekend, sounds like a good deal if you time it right.
Doughnuts at Brothers Brew in Rockport. Homemade fresh Butternut Crunch for one dollar. It is impossible to eat more than one so that is the cheapest breakfast out there.
(If you did eat more than one you are now on a diet like me and are forbidden to go to BB because your ass cannot fit in your kayak come spring.)
It would be awesome if it was organized by days as well somehow. i.e. today is Monday and I dont want to cook, what deals are out there. I would hope the restaurants would want this. They have specials to get business, I assume. Let me know if you need any help on this.
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Thursday March 6th , 2014 Cape Ann Weather..
Marine Forecast
Thu: N winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt…becoming NE 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 ft.
Thu Night: SE winds around 5 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft.
It’s gonna be another cold day with clouds and sun temps in the 20’s struggling to hit 30.. Winds onshore from the north northeast at 10-15 mph with a few higher gusts . As far as ocean effect snow bands go will just have to wait and see if they materialize or not .. Very cold air passing over the ocean waters for this time of year .. Very hard to predict these events but not ruling it out . Tonight very cold lows teens to 20’s light North east winds becoming south east 10-15 mph…
Friday sun / clouds we warm up a bit highs around 40.
Saturday lower 40’s dry weather continues with mostly sunny skies ..
Sunday 44
Late next week watching potential storminess conditions around Wednesday / Thursday time period…
Have a great day … Thanks for reading …
Peter Lovasco
GMG
Weatherman
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Community Stuff 3/6/14
UUSR Photography Exhibit
As part of its ongoing program of original art exhibits, The Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport is proud to present the work of photographer Robert William Streeter during the month of March. Robert has worked as an advertising and industrial photographer for more than thirty years, primarily in England, but now her turns has attention to the New England landscape. He uses traditional black and white photography and his prize-winning
photographs have been described as dramatic and ethereal. They are always thought-provoking. For more information, please call the church at 978-546-2989.
Eastern Point Day School Open House on Friday, March 14th from 8:30 am –12:30 pm
New Lower Tuition = More School Choice
Interested parents, guardians and their children are invited to visit Eastern Point Day School on Friday, March 14, from 8:30 to 12:30 to meet the dedicated faculty and students that make Eastern Point Day School a unique and enriching community for children to thrive.
Eastern Point Day School is an independent school, Pre-K to 8th grade, focused on thematic teaching with an emphasis on curriculum integration and academic excellence, delivered in a nurturing, creative, and dynamic environment.
Tuition rates have been reduced to support EPDS’s mission to provide an exceptional education to our Cape Ann communities.
EPDS offers rolling admission, options to augment homeschool learning, scholarships and financial aid. For more information, please visit www.easternpointdayschool.org or email at info@easternpointdayschool.org.
Plan ahead; March 14 is movie night at GAAC!
We have a terrific film on the discoveries of a giant, little-known observatory, tucked away in Pennsylvania of all places, a facility that has nonetheless revolutionized our understanding of the universe around us.
The film features Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson of the American Museum of Natural History, and Dr. Tom Crouch of the Smithsonian, and is guaranteed to entertain and astonish, in true GAAC fashion. Come and explore the heavens with your friends and neighbors. There’s only one showing, and you don’t want to miss it.
GAAC movie nights feature all the great goodies and conversation that we always have at every meeting, but with popcorn and junior mints and soda. It’s a genuine night at the movies, so come early and grab a good seat!
The Gloucester Area Astronomy Club meets from 8:00 pm to about 9:30 on March 14 at the Lanesville Community Center, 8 Vulcan Street in Lanesville. There are no costs or fees, and everyone is welcome. See more on our Facebook page,http://www.facebook.com, our website at http://gaac.us, or follow us on twitter, @gaactweet
Randy Burns Event
Hi Joey,
I hope you are well! I’m not sure if you have heard about Randy Burns, but he is one of the good guys here in Gloucester. He had an unfortunate fall off a ladder on October 15th of last year and as a result is paralyzed from the chest down. After spending three months in the hospital and Spaulding rehab, he is now home and beginning out-patient therapy at Spaulding in Boston. There is an on-line fundraiser set up to raise money to buy him a wheelchair-accessible van so he can get to and from doctors/therapy visits and just around in general. It would be great if you could post the info on the Good Morning Gloucester site, so the word gets out to the community. Every little bit helps and it would be so awesome if we can make this happen for Randy!!
Here is the link:
Many thanks!
Best, Melissa
FILM AND FOOD. A FILM ABOUT SICILIAN FISHERMEN
Sea Commons hosts “Terraferma”; Food provided by SHORT & MAIN
Are you ready for spring and be out on the water? Come watch the beautiful film about a Sicilian fishing community and enjoy some delicious pizzas provided by the local restaurant, SHORT & MAIN. The citizens’ group Sea Commons will host the screening of the Italian film “Terraferma” at the Cape Ann Community Cinema at 21 Main Street in Gloucester on Sunday, March 9th. Doors open at 6pm for food and film starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are $10. Suggested $5 for food donations.
Terraferma is an Italian film directed by Emanuele Crialese from a timely — yet also quite timeless — script he wrote with Vittorio Moroni, is set on a remote Sicilian island whose summer tourist trade has become more lucrative than its longtime, now-dwindling fishing business. However, because of its location, the isle is also a magnet for illegal African immigrants escaping to Europe.
One day at sea, the aging Ernesto (Mimmo Cuticchio), a tradition-bound, lifelong fisherman, and his 20-year-old grandson Filippo (Filippo Pucillo) secretly rescue a vulnerable boatload of Ethiopian refugees, which includes the very pregnant Sara (Timnit T.) and her young son. Ernesto’s daughter (and Filippo’s mother), Giulietta (Donatella Finocchiaro), is a restless widow renting her home to a carefree trio of Italian vacationers. After she delivers Sara’s baby, a precarious bond forms between the wary Giulietta and the desperate young mother. This sets off a deep wave of social, moral and emotional reflection — and recalibration — for all involved.
Perhaps most affected, though, is the impulsive, rudderless Filippo, who also works for his entrepreneurial uncle — and Ernesto’s son — Nino (Giuseppe Fiorello). The severity of Sara’s plight will result in a gutsy, much-needed call to action for Filippo which, like so much else in this insightful film, proves a stirring commentary on our better angels.
The film was selected as the Italian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2012 Academy Awards.
Sea Commons (www.SeaCommons.com), the sponsor of the film, is a group of concerned Gloucester citizens interested in promoting a regional dialogue/public forum about the future of our Seas, and how citizens will adapt to sea level rise. For more information, contact Camron Adibi at Sea Commons at cfadibi@gmail.com or (978) 381-9709.
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Who’s gonna be surprised when this guy gets eaten?
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Nominations for 2014 Gloucester Citizenship Awards
It’s time to nominate your favorite local volunteer or do-gooder for a Gloucester Citizenship Award! Joey Ciaramitaro is a past winner. Attached is a photo of the 2013 winners – how many of them can you name?
CHURCH SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR CITIZENSHIP AWARDS
The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church is inviting nominations from the public for its 2014 Gloucester Citizenship Awards. The church annually seeks to recognize up to 10 individuals for contributions they voluntarily make to Gloucester, without thought of remuneration or recognition.
The people who receive these honors will come from all walks of life. Some are known for simple deeds they do for their neighbors. Others are honored for giving generously to the entire community. All will be people who have worked persistently and quietly to make a mark on Gloucester. They will be chosen because their actions embody the best of the spirit that guides Unitarian Universalism – open-hearted giving to others, solely for what those gifts mean, for no pay, and often with little or no public notice. From young to old, there are no age limits. Nominees need not be citizens of the United States.
Nominations are due no later than Friday, April 4. They must be in writing and include the name and address of the nominee, why this person should be honored, and the name and contact information of the person making the nomination. Nominations may be mailed to the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, 10 Church St., Gloucester MA 01930, or emailed to gloucesteruu@earthlink.net. Final choices will be made by the church’s Social Justice Committee. The awards will be made at a public event at the church on Sunday, May 4.
Matthew a Green Photo
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The Writer’s Book Club at Duckworth’s Presents “The Things They Carried”
Very much looking forward to this Writer’s Book Club event, presented by Eastern Point Lit House and Duckworth’s Bistrot! Chris Anderson, one of my favorite people and a GMG FOB, is going to be leading the event. This promises to be a great discussion, made especially enjoyable as it will be held at the always warm and welcoming Duckworth’s restaurant, accompanied by the sublime Ken Duckworth viands!! I hope to see you there!
Chris writes:
Hi Kim!
Glad you’re back. But with this snow, I bet you wish you were still in Mexico;
Can you help spread the word about these upcoming EPLH events? I’d really appreciate it. The reading this Sunday is going to be great–Joseph Riippi is a wonderful writer and person. And I’ll be leading the book club at Duckworth’s. We’re doing Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, a modern classic, and one of my favorite books (I was lucky enough to attend workshops/hang with Tim in grad school back in Texas). I can’t wait!
Hope this finds you well (and warm).
Thank you!
Chris
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Eastern Point Lit House Presents Joseph Rippa at The Hive Sunday March 9th
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On Top
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Representative Ferrante Joins Committee Chairs to Lobby for More Funding
Representative Ferrante Joins Committee Chairs to Lobby for More Funding
State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante lobbied alongside Representative Cory Atkins and Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives, the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, for more funding for the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. The delegation was joined by Anita Walker, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council; Ann Marie Casey, Executive Director of the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Betsy Wall, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.
“Cape Ann is a perfect example of how strong support for the arts, culture, and tourism is a driver for local economics. Cape Ann is home to four cultural districts – Gloucester’s Rocky Neck Cultural District, Gloucester Harbortown Cultural District, the Rockport Cultural District, and the Essex River Cultural District. Without the support we received from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, the significant distinction as a cultural district may not have been possible. It is increasingly important to maintain state investment to keep tourism and cultural development of our cities and towns thriving to help grow our local economy” said Ferrante.
In fiscal year 2012, tourism generated $17.7 billion in direct spending as well as $1.1 billion in state and local taxes, making it the third largest industry in Massachusetts. Tourism supports nearly 126,500 jobs for Massachusetts residents, which pay $3.7 billion in wages. The arts and culture industry employs 16,700 full-time and part-time workers and 14,000 independent contractors generating $32 million in payroll taxes. In addition, $1 billion is generated through direct spending on goods and services while $138 million is generated by individual contributions from Massachusetts and beyond.
On average, every $140,283 spent in Massachusetts by domestic and international travelers generated one job in 2012. Without these jobs generated by travel, Massachusetts’s 2012 unemployment rate of 6.7 percent would have been 3.6 percentage points higher, increasing it to 10.4 percent.
On Cape Ann we have witnessed the benefits of our cultural and tourism assets such as The Rocky Neck Cultural Center, the Shalin Liu Performance Center, Cape Ann Museum and Gloucester Stage, which have all been recipients of Cultural Facilities Funding.
Today Representative Ferrante will vote to recognize The Cultural Facilities Fund in the hopes of providing more local aid to our cultural assets such as Gloucester City Hall.
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Easter in Somerville
Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and Easter is on the way, since it has been such a cold this winter, came across this picture of my sister Janet and I in 1958 and thought of warm days.
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Special Weather Update! Wednesday March 5th , 2014 3:00PM
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Working our way down the St. Joseph to do list!
Stocking up with supplies for The Big St. Joseph Feast!
Created with Pic Stitch
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Allen Estes welcomes Parker Wheeler & Amadee Castenell on Local Music Seen this week
Catch Parker Wheeler & Amadee Castenell on “Local Music Seen with Allen Estes” starting tonight at 6:30 on Cape Ann TV channel 12. These two produce more energy than most full bands and when Allen joins in, it’s a hot antidote to the cold outside.
If you miss tonight, you can see the show again on Friday at 1:30pm and Sunday at 6pm (see Cape Ann TV Schedule here)
You can see Parker at the Grog every Sunday and you can see Amadee live with Henri Smith and Charles Neville on Friday night and Sunday afternoon just down the road at The Larcom Theatre. Get Friday tickets here and Sunday tickets here.
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Animal aid day at Stones
Sent from my Galaxy S®III
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Oops, did you miss Mardi Gras? This year you’ve got a 2nd chance
Soooo …. you’re dealing with snow again today and you suddenly realize that Mardi Gras came and went yesterday without much thought on your part — you didn’t even go down to Lat 43 to support the YMCA Teens’ Service Learning Trips coming up this spring — yes, spring — I know you can’t even imagine spring, but it will come. Trust me.
Don’t dispair. You’ve got another chance to celebrate Mardi Gras AND support the YMCA Teens this Friday at the Larcom Theatre with Henri Smith and Charles Neville (of the Neville Brothers). Melissa Cox will be there hosting a 50/50 raffle to support the Y Teens. Get your concert tickets here and your raffle tickets at the theatre. The music will be HOT. The dancing even hotter — and you can contribute to a good cause, making you feel just great about having a good time!
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Joey C. and Mark Wahlberg separated at birth?
If you’re like me, you may have found yourself wondering, “What do Joey C. and Mark Wahlberg have in common?” on more than one occasion.
Fear not, I have done a bit of research for you.
Well, for starters, they’re both in their 40s, their first names both consist of four letters, and their last names are both easy to misspell. But that is rookie stuff.
Joey is from Gloucester. Mark really loves Gloucester and spent time here filming the Perfect Storm….which Joey has seen!
Uncanny, right. But it doesn’t end there.
Mark’s brother was in The New Kids on the Block and Joey auditioned for The New Kids on the Block (I may have that part wrong…)
Mark was an underwear model for Calvin Klein….and Joey. Wears. Underwear.
I know what you’re thinking. It’s almost like they were separated at birth.
Mark made his big screen debut in the film Renaissance Man done by Penny Marshall. Joey once had a crush on Penny Marshall’s character Laverne from Laverne and Shirley. (That’s what I heard anyway).
According to our most recent Podcast, Joey would order a burger over
“Dog Shit, Seagull Shit, Crap on a Shingle, and Corned Beef and Cabbage”
and Mark owns the burger joint Wahlburgers along with his two brothers.
Joey has been to the new shopping mecca MarketStreet in Lynnfield (although was deterred by the long lines) and rumor has it that Wahlburgers will be opening there soon. (which may or may not be the real point of this post).
And then there’s the little 3rd nipple thing. Which, until yesterday, they both had.
So, if Wahlburgers is indeed opening in at MarketStreet, would you go? I think I might.
Click here to check out Wahlburgers
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And this is why I call March the meanest month
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March Always Brings Me Back To My Childhood
March always brings me back to my childhood. Always.
Some of my most cherished memories growing up are from times spent with family and friends celebrating the Feast of St. Josephs at Great Uncle Mike and Aunt Vinci Militello’s home on School Street here in Gloucester.
For as far back as I can remember…. March 11-19th was spent in their home honoring St Joseph with traditional song and prayer. All recited in Sicilian. My aunt and uncle’s home altar was one of many set up throughout the city. Dozens of families shared this 9-day tradition honoring St. Joseph.
Twenty five years ago…. there were over 30 families…. who constructed religious altars within their homes, in and around central Gloucester. Each home was open to family, friends, and neighbors who wanted to participate in the 9-day devotion honoring St. Joseph. Women and children gathered and prayed for a special intention every afternoon and or evening around the handcrafted altars.
Each altar was uniquely draped in silk fabrics, Italian lace, and fragrant fresh flowers, which were replaced routinely throughout the Novena.
The shrines were brightly lit from the glow of vigil candles. These vigil candles were lit by guests who were praying for a special intention. The construction and setup of each family altar, was, and still is a monumental event, marking the years kickoff to St. Joseph’s Feasts and all its festivities. The process of washing the saints, selecting a theme color, making adjustments to the altars design to accommodate new statues, and setting up the home to accommodate large crowds of people, remains a special hosting family tradition today.
Years ago, most every Sicilian family living in Gloucester celebrated St. Joseph’s Day like it was Christmas. On March 19th, many adults stayed home from work and most Sicilian children were allowed to stay home from school to celebrate the feast with family and friends. Over the years, the numbers of family altars, in and around Gloucester, have sadly dwindled down to a mere dozen.
After the death of my Uncle Mike, Aunt Vinci continued to host the family altar for a few more years. But it simply wasn’t the same without Uncle Mike’s presence. Eventually my cousins stowed away Uncle Mike and Aunt Vinci’s treasured statues, saints, and angels in vetrina Cabinets, in the living room, where they remained until last year.
I spent years quietly reciting the St. Joseph rosary by myself from March 11-19th. Then, one year, my dear friend Rosalie Orlando extended an invitation to me to join her family at their altar on Prospect Street. Thrilled and honored to participate once again, in a true customary way, I joined their family with my daughter Amanda and son BJ in tow. Filled with emotions I sat next to Zina Saputo, Rosalie’s aunt, who took me and my daughter under her wing and guided us nightly, through the prayer service, clarifying pronunciations as needed. Within days my kids were humming the songs on our morning drives to school, and I felt a sense of peace knowing my children were experiencing this amazing tradition that has always been dear to my heart.
Last year… after 6 nights of the same vivid dream of a red and white altar….I called my Militello cousins and shared the details of my vivid altar dream. With only (5) saints of my own on hand, my husband Barry constructed my *vision* in our living room the very next day! My cousin, Eleanor, packed up Uncle Mike and Aunt Vincie’s treasured altar valuables and gifted them to me. Last year my family and I hosted our families St Joseph Altar after twenty years in retirement. It was truly an inspirational and spiritual event.
My hope for this year, is that people (like me), who once faithfully celebrated this deep rooted Sicilian tradition growing up (and have longed to have it back in their life), find their way to our family’s altar with their special intentions, and participate in the nine day St. Joseph Novena with us.
This past Monday evening I posted a list of questions on Facebook: Did you grow up celebrating the Feast of St Joseph during the month of March? Do you still celebrate St. Joseph’s Day? How many years ago did you or your families stop celebrating? Are you longing to expose your children to this Sicilian tradition you were raised with?
Peter Favazza responded to my Facebook post with this share ~ I have not done a 10 day novena for St. Joseph since I moved away to Las Vegas my grandmother in Gloucester down the FORT Giovannini &Tom Misuraca celebrated St. Josephs day for 50 years to this to this day I collect Saints and statues and celebrate in my own way when the going gets tough it works every time
Photo below provided by Peter Favazza
Gina Parisi Wingerter shares her thoughts and photo~Felicia I have the best memories at my beautiful aunts home celebrating St. Joseph’s day.
Viva San Giuseppe! Luv this pic of my beautiful aunt who hosted our
family’s celebration for decades! We are carrying on with our own tribute
tonight. When I was asked for the documentary what this day meant to me…,I
answered with one word “commitment”. We will never forget or take our
blessings for granted. Happy St. Joseph’s Day!!
Sista Felicia~ Thank you for sharing Gina, What a beautiful photo of your aunt and her altar!
What are your fondest Feast of St. Joseph memories or stories? Please share your story and photo. I know we all would benefit from hearing these traditional stories during this time of year !
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Photos From Last nights Holy Family Parish Guild Meeting
Last night I was invited to speak about my personal journey of writing my first cookbook “Gifts Of Gold In A Sicilian Kitchen With Sista Felicia, Harvest” with the members of the Holy Family Parish guild’s monthly meeting. What a fun we had! Thank you ladies for inviting me. It was a pleasure talking about old recipes, and my families altar for the upcoming Feast of St. Joseph with you all!
Good Morning Gloucester 