Shot in Death Valley, California. As always, click image to enlarge.
Check out Brian’s photography at http://backwardglance.wordpress.com
Month: March 2014
Our Lady of Good Voyage Church
To read more information on this beautiful church please follow the link.
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/maritime/lad.htm
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Author, Fred Dillen Reading at The Cultural Center Friday, March 7
Karen MacLean is a blue collar woman in her fifties who has risen in the business world to the point she gets to bury the extraneous divisions a New York mergers-and-acquisitions firm spits out. Karen hates shutting down factory floor guys like her father, but the M&A outfit has promised she can have a company of her own, to run, once she buries her last body, the last fish processor in a hard-times Massachusetts fishing port. She shows up in town, learns she’s going to be canned when she gets back to New York, and decides to buy and run the old plant. She has skills and resolve and wins the help of townspeople, including a roughly charming fisherman, but the rest of it ain’t easy.
Sponsored by the Gloucester Writer’s Center at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street. Friday, March 7
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Rubber Duck Quick Tip: Macintosh Photos
Now that even PCMag has selected the Apple Macintosh Operating System as Editor’s Choice, best OS for desktop and laptop the questions about how I do stuff on the Mac is increasing. But I am the worst person to ask. I’ve been using Macs since 1984 so my brain is stuck using methods from all the older programs with all the glitches and work arounds that I keep on using because my brain can’t handle new.
So when someone asks me how to manipulate a photo, I run through my list. iPhoto to resize, change color, Pixelmator to erase background, Photoshop when I want to tilt or animate. But then a Mac Group I belong to points out that most all of that can be done using “Preview”.
What? Preview, the tiny built in Mac program that fires up when you double-click on a photo? I thought you could only … Preview a photo. But no, with MacOS X 10.9.2 Mavericks, Preview has added even more easy tricks. 99% of what I want to do with a photo can be done in Preview. I just need to fire it up and look at the menu, “Tools” especially.
Look at all the stuff you can do without actually running a big photo program! Adjust the color and tint, get Info on size, crop to your hearts content and it even tells you while doing so how many pixels so cropping to that 81×81 sized avatar is now simple. “Export” to any file format and done. This touches on only a few tools and tricks inside Preview. Go double-click on a photo and check out every menu item. You might find like I did that you are wasting time using humongous programs and complicated tricks when the Newbie who just bought their first Mac yesterday is way ahead of you.
ps. The text bubbles I did in Preview too! I created the set-up seen here and used “Grab” in timed screen mode so that my crop was visible. Grab is another program that comes with your Mac. What an easy way to grab a Rubber Duck’s head and stick it on a squirrel’s body but that is another post entirely.
pps. One actual photo tip (if you’re still reading this) from an actual photographer That would not be me): when adjusting contrast, shadow, highlights, you can really mess a photo up. The trick to make it simple:
1) Turn saturation to zero, leftmost. That turns off color.
2) Now go ahead with contrast, exposure, shadow, highlights to get the photo to pop in Black and White.
3) Now go back to saturation and bring color back up, then check the tint. Works for me because otherwise I have no idea what I’m doing and my duck ends up orange with red lipstick applied by Picasso.
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Boat show
Sent from my Galaxy S®III
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What did we tell you about Darlingside? Watch this video and see for yourself …
A few weeks ago (in this post), we told you to watch these guys based on their being featured in last months Noise Magazine. Well, guess what? Last week at the New England Music Awards they won “Pop Act of the Year”. And their video “Terrible Things” is featured in this month’s Noise Magazine (see video reviews here). And as usual, The Noise is right. Check out the video below:
So keep you’re eyes on them while you go out and party this weekend. Tons of great music — see full weekend schedule here.
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Beauport Princess St Patrick’s Day Cruise
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SPRING!
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St. Joseph 2014 Preperations Officially Begin Today At Sista’s House
For some the month of March made be viewed as cold and dreary month, but for Sicilian families carrying on the traditions surrounding the feast of St. Joseph, it is a month of prayer, family, fun, food, and celebration! Today, my mother Pat, daughter Amanda and I will work together in assembly line fashion, carrying dozens of saints from the “Vetrina” (China cabinet) to the kitchen sink where each will be carefully washed, dried, polished, and lined up on the dinning room table awaiting tomorrow’s scheduled alter set up. Friends and family will gather tomorrow afternoon to erect our Families 2014 St. Joseph alter. This traditional gathering, marks the official beginning off the 2014 Feast of St. Joseph Novena Celebration at our home.
Viva San Giuseppe!
For more photos of last years 2013 St. Joseph festivities click here Continue reading “St. Joseph 2014 Preperations Officially Begin Today At Sista’s House”
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Backyard Growers Annual Garden Training
Hi Joey,
This is Anna Swanson from Backyard Growers reaching out again to you for your help through your blog. We are holding a few workshops in March for our participants and would love to get the word out so others can join if they would like! I have posted the blurb below with a picture of a past mentor and participant enjoying planning their spring garden at a previous workshop. We would really appreciate if you could post these once or twice before the deadline on March 19th. As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you so much for your help reaching out to the community, we so appreciate it!
Best,
Anna
Backyard Growers Annual Garden Training
Every spring Backyard Growers gives our program participants trainings in the square foot gardening method. We have a limited number of spots available for the general public to attend! The trainings take place at The Open Door on Saturdays, March 22 and March 29 from 9:45-12. The workshop fee is $35 and helps support our non-profit programming. To register contact Anna at610-220-9823 or anna.swanson@foodcorps.org. Deadline to register is Wednesday, 3/19.
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Saturday March 1st 2014 Cape Ann Weather …
Marine Forecast ……
Small Craft Advisory …
Today: S winds 5 to 10 kt…increasing to 10 to 15 kt this afternoon. Gusts up to 25 kt late. Seas 2 to 3 ft.
Tonight: SW winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 25 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft.
Welcome to March 🙂 today looking at mostly sunny skies highs in the 30’s. Winds west SW 10-20 mph … Tonight cold lows around 30 degrees …
Sunday cloudy with light snow or snow showers late morning through Monday am .. Temps in the 20’s to low 30’s….
There ya go folks sorry feeling blah blah today . Hope to feel better before the snow moves in . I’m forecasting dusting to 2″ for Cape Ann at this time … Thanks for viewing …
Peter Lovasco
GMG
Weatherman
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Community Stuff 3/1/14
CALVO WOODCARVING STUDIO is looking for an Apprentice. Applicant must have good aptitude, dexterity, and hopefully some woodworking skills. This is an interviewed position. For more information you can check the website at www.calvostudio.com or call at 978-283-0231
warm regards,
David
Calvo Studio
235 East Main St
Gloucester, MA 01930
Cape Ann Art Haven’s new class for kids ages 3 – 5: Little Hands BIG Art
register at www.arthaven.org
Get Out & Explore!
The Trustees of Reservations Launches a
New Crane Outdoor Adventures Program
Photo courtesy B. Handelman.
Ipswich, MA – February 27, 2014 – The Trustees of Reservations is excited to announce the launch of the new year-round Crane Outdoor Adventures Program at The Crane Estate, located at 290 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA. With more than 2,000 acres and miles of trails weaving through beaches, dunes, woodlands, and marshes, The Crane Estate offers the ideal outdoor playground. Each month, the program will feature two or three different “adventures” on the grounds of The Crane Estate, the Crane Wildlife Refuge, Choate Island, and the nearby Hamlin Reservation.
“With the increased use of technology in our lives, more and more children and adults are not spending enough time outside,” says Barbara Erickson, Trustees President and CEO, outdoor enthusiast and mother of two young children. “It’s our mission at The Trustees to inspire more Massachusetts residents of all ages to get out, be active and experience our many wonderful outdoor places located across the state. The new Crane Outdoor Adventures Program is just one of the many ways we are trying to support this.”
The program kicks off this March with a Stop, Look and Listen Tour – an outdoor adventure for the whole family that includes hiking, investigating, and swapping stories over hot chocolate at the bonfire. March also marks the first of the monthly Full Moon and Folklore Hikes. Additional springtime family adventures include Spying on Spring Peepers, a Scavenger Hunt at the Hamlin Reservation, and Snakes Alive! – a snake hunt on the property at the Crane Estate followed by Rick Roth’s “Snakes of New England and the World” show.
The adult line-up for Crane Outdoor Adventures for adults include a kayak paddle through Fox Creek, a viewing of the Harvest Moon Rise from the Grand Allée with wine & hors d‘oeuvres, and a kayak paddle to Choate Island for a tour followed by a picnic supper. Visit the website, www.thetrurstees.org/castlehill or call 978.356.4351 x4052 for the complete Crane Outdoor Adventures schedule and information.
MARCH PROGRAM DETAILS
Full Moon and Folklore Hike
Sunday, March16 | 7-10pm
Join us as we celebrate the Algonquin Worm Moon with a night hike through the dunes of the Crane Wildlife Refuge! Transformed and illuminated by the glow of the full moon, the dunes are an eerily beautiful landscape – and on this late winter evening we may be lucky enough to hear the howls of coyotes as they search for a mate. At the end of our walk we’ll warm ourselves with hot cider around a bonfire.
Trustees Members: $15 Nonmembers: $20; suggested ages 13 and older.
Stop, Look and Listen Tour
Saturday, March 22 | 1-3pm
An outdoor adventure for the whole family! We’ll walk the Cedar Point loop, investigating the trail for tracks and telltales, piecing together evidence that will help us see the story in the landscape. Bring your sharp senses and your skills of observation! We’ll end the hike in the Pine Grove with a bonfire and hot chocolate.
Trustees Members: Adult FREE; Child $5. Nonmembers: Adult FREE; Child $8.
APRIL SAVE THE DATES…
Spying on Spring Peepers
Saturday, April 12 | 7-9pm
In the early evening darkness we’ll quietly make our way through the dunes to the bogs and puddles that serve as breeding pools for these tiny frogs, and hope to catch a glimpse of them as they call to find a mate. The cacophonous chorus of Spring Peepers means winter is finally coming to an end; they are among the very first to call and breed in the spring.
Trustees Members: Adult $8; Child $4. Nonmembers: Adult $10; Child $5.
Full Moon and Folklore Hike
Tuesday, April 15 | 8-10pm
According to The Farmer’s Almanac, April’s Full Pink Moon heralds the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers. It is also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon. Bring your own fun facts and folklore to share around the bonfire at the end of our hike!
Trustees Members: $15 Nonmembers: $20; suggested ages 13 and older.
Scavenger Hunt at Hamlin Reservation
Thursday, April 24 | 1-2:30pm
Looking for something fun to do with the kids during school vacation? Join us at the Hamlin Reservation, where we’ll search for nature’s treasures (and some man-made as well!) as we walk through the gently rolling fields of this former farmland, then over a dike path that leads to a loop trail around Eagle Island. Bring your sharpest skills of observation, and a bag to collect your treasures!
Trustees Members: Adult FREE; Child $5. Nonmembers: Adult FREE; Child $8.
Finally – progress in the fight for healthy kids
Sarah Bartley, NSUW
“We now have a vegetable with dinner every day—whether it be from our garden or not,” says a mom and participant in the Backyard Growers Program. This program helps low- and moderate-income families plant and harvest from raised-bed gardens in their backyards.
This is just one of several innovative local responses to the childhood obesity epidemic in the US. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finally have good news. This week it was reported that obesity rates have dropped 43 percent among 2- to 5-year-old children over the past decade nationwide. MA is one of just 19 states seeing a decrease in rates.
Part of the Cape Ann Farmers Market, Backyard Growers is one of 10 programs that have been funded by the North Shore United Way’s Women in Action initiative. Women in Action is the North Shore’s first focused response to the issue that engages people in both philanthropy and volunteerism for local programs that increase access to healthy food, sound nutrition, and physical activity for children and families. In its report, the CDC sites citizens groups like Women in Action and innovative local programs like Backyard Growers for nudging the childhood obesity rate down and offering a solution that improves the health and wellbeing to America’s youth.
In addition to supporting philanthropic efforts like Women in Action, there are many people can get involved in the effort to increase access to healthy food and physical activity.
Like to garden? Become a mentor for the Backyard Growers program and share your experience with someone who is starting out. Or maybe you have a truck? If so, you have a great resource to this growing program. MORE
Enjoy preparing healthy food and have a heart for those who struggle to put enough of it on the table? Consider helping prepare community meals with The Open Door, a Gloucester based pantry that has led the way in the nutrition movement. MORE
Have experience swimming or in other sports? Become a swim instructor or volunteer assistant coach for one of the North Shore Y’s leagues. You do not need to be a professional athlete, but have a love of sports and a concern for instilling Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility in children of all ages. MORE
Enjoy volunteering with young children? Beverly Children’s Learning Center runs a Happy Healthy Fit Kids program that introduces their children to being active and eating healthy foods both inside and outside of the classroom. They seek classroom helpers. MORE
These are just four of many ways to become engaged in building a stronger, healthier community listed on the North Shore Volunteer Hub, a new website from the North Shore United Way helping residents find meaningful, local volunteer opportunities.
Volunteer opportunities are meaningful when you know you are meeting a real community need. But it will only last if it is also a good fit for your skills, availability, and interests. Found at nsuw.org, the Volunteer Hub allows you to search by issue or need until you find the right volunteer match.
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The North Shore United Way invests almost $1M each year in projects that transform lives and improve communities now and for future generations. NSUW is all about local impact by rigorously vetting and supporting 25 causes that serve children, families, and seniors in eight North Shore communities, including Beverly, Hamilton, Wenham, Ipswich, Essex, Manchester, Gloucester and Rockport. For more information about the projects funded by NSUW donors and how to get involved, visit nsuw.org.
Good Morning Gloucester 