Community Stuff 8/31/14

Schooner Festival Sunday-

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Schedule of Events: Sunday, August, 31, 2014
10:30am-12:00 noon:  Parade of Sail
11:00am-1:30pm: Shuttle Bus to Eastern Point Light
1:00pm: Start of Mayor’s Race

3:00pm: Departure of the U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle

6:00pm-8:00pm: Reception and Awards Ceremony 


Silver Season – 25th Anniversary of The Writer’s Block with John J. Ronan

Premier program to be taped at the Cape Ann Museum

Join Cape Ann TV and Gloucester resident John Ronan to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the award-winning series The Writer’s Block. The anniversary episode will consist of a panel discussion filmed in front of a live audience in the Cape Ann Museum Auditorium on Wednesday, September 3 at 1:30 p.m. This program is free and open to the public.

The Silver Season begins with a panel of distinguished visual and print media professionals talking about the roles of electronic media and print in American Culture. “PIXELS AND PRINT: The Word in an Electronic Age” will be hosted by Mr. Ronan. The panelists will be Ray Lamont, editor of the Gloucester Daily Times, former poet Laureate Rufus Collinson, Erich Archer, Executive Director of Cape Ann TV and a longtime television and film producer, and Sinikka Nogelo, a former Executive Director of Cape Ann TV and a distinguished artist. Daisy Nell and Captain Stan will provide music.

The Writer’s Block with John J. Ronan is one of the oldest, continuously-running public access shows in New England. In 2005, The Writer’s Block was awarded First Prize for an Educational Program Series by the New England Cable Television Association.

The Cape Ann Museum has been in existence since the 1870s, working to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of the area and to help keep it relevant to today’s audiences. More than 20,000 local, national, and international visitors come each year, and more than 9,000 adults, children, and families attend the Museum’s extensive program offerings annually.

Spanning 44,000 square feet, the major cultural institution on Boston’s North Shore also has two historic homes: The White-Ellery House (1710) and the Captain Elias Davis House (1804) as well as two sculpture parks in the heart of Gloucester’s Downtown.


Marriage Proposal During Last Thursday’s Harbor Loop Concert

Hey Joey! I was just on your website and I saw that you were covering the last harbor loop concert of the year last night! My fiancĂ© proposed to on stage during the concert thanks to “What Time Is It, Mr Fox?” and I heard that it was being photographed and filmed for local news. I was wondering if you were one of the people covering it? Please let me know!
Jordan-Leigh
XOXO


Adult Education Classes at Wellspring House

Registration for FREE adult education classes at Wellspring House in Gloucester is happening now for our Fall Session. Classes begin Monday, September 15 and we have an information session at 302 Essex Avenue on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm or call ua to arrange an appointment and tour.

Wellspring House’s Adult Learning Initiative (ALI) provides 8 weeks of FREE classes in Computer Skills, Career Development, English and math for women and men interested in passing the high school equivalency test, returning to school or finding a career. Classes are 8:45 a.m. -12:30 p.m., Monday – Friday and study time is 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Please call the Recruitment & Enrollment Coordinator for more information at (978) 281-3558, ext. 304. Wellspring House is located at 302 Essex Ave., Gloucester, MA.  FREE local transportation is available.


cacsADfall2014

Dory #4 Arrived Safely

Joey,
Dory #4 was built by youth apprentices last year under the tutelage of boatbuilders Jeff Lane and Graham McKay at Lowell’s Boat Shop and Museum in Amesbury, MA. She arrived in Gloucester Thursday evening after a row over from Woodbridge Island on the Merrimack River. Jack Kulik, 17, one of the apprentice builders, and I rowed her the twenty or so miles to be at the Schooner Fest. The dory is feeling very much at home being currently tied up over at the dinghy dock near the stern of the schooner Adventure. Thousands of Lowell built dories served in the Gloucester Schooner fishing fleet. They were carried on schooner decks and lowered away to fish on the Grand Banks. A big shout out to the amiable Gloucester gig rowers who welcomed us to their table on our arrival! Huzzah! They also assisted by loaning us a trailer with which enabled us to bring over a whaleboat from the Charles W. Morgan whaleship for a dockside exhibit at the Schooner Fest. The whaleboat is at the Heritage Center through Monday. Alice Twombly, Waterfront educator, Lowell’s Boat Shop and Museum

The United States Coast Guard Barque EAGLE’s eagle was carved by local Rockport Marine Architect and Artist, Robert Lee Perry, in 1976

Betsy Works forwards
Hi Joey,

I had the privilege of visiting Rockport Marine Architect and Artist,
Bob Perry, as he was putting the finishing touches of small gold leaf
detail on this enormous and magnificent eagle sculpture which he was commissioned to create for The United States Coast Guard Barque EAGLE.

"The United States Coast Guard Barque EAGLE’s
eagle was carved by Robert Lee Perry in 1976 from
Brazilian mahogany, replacing a fiberglass version;
3340 pounds, thirteen feet long."
(Source: Facebook post by Tim Sullivan Photography)

Cape Ann folks should know we have a great
local connection to The USCG Barque Eagle and see
closely Robert Perry’s "Eagle" masterpiece sculpture
figurehead…

Thanks,
Betsy

GMG EXCLUSIVE Video: Behind The Scenes of the Schooner Festival Fireworks Show

Here’s a rare look at the incredible two day preparation for the massive fireworks display at the 2014 Schooner Festival.

Thanks to American Thunder Fireworks for granting us access and to Barry Pett for showing us around the staging area at Stage Fort Park.

What an exciting day

Rick and I went on the Thomas E. Lannon on Friday to greet the United States’ Coast Guard Barque Eagle.  First of the all The Lannon is so wonderful and the crew is amazing.  We were out past the Breakwater with the wind and waves.  Must tell all that is one of my favorite days out on the water on  a beautiful Schooner.  We greeted the Eagle with The Lannon’s Cannon going off.  Looking forward to tomorrow and more Schooner Festival.

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Donna & Rick on the Eagle

Donna and Rick on the CG barque Eagle
Around 11AM today. The stern of the CG Eagle. About ten seconds after I took this someone starts hollering from above then Rick and Donna materialized on the stern. Rubber Duck’s big sister, RD got tossed into the drink by grand niece Alice but MOB drills paid off and man overboard was back onboard in less than 30 seconds.

Homie Giving Rubber Duck the Stink Eye

homiestickeye
and Rubber Duck looking straight ahead …

“Beautiful” May Not Do The Eagle Justice

Thatcher, Finn, and I spent a glorious morning touring the United States Coast Barque Eagle.  Gloucester is obviously fortunate to be home to such amazing vessels as The Adventure, The Lannon, and the Ardelle, but…as I explained to my boys…this weekend is like a Red Sox home game in that those ships get to play host to some other fabulous “away team” vessels.

The Eagle being one of them.

I’m not quite sure that “Beautiful” does her justice.

What do you think?

The Eagle is conducting an Open House until 7:00 in the evening. I highly recommend a trip down behind Americold to see her!

The Weekend Starts

Shots from Gloucester Harbor this morning. Great start to the day!

Rock the Boat – Benefit for NAMA – November 7th

Hey… Let’s Rock The Boat!

Join us for Rock The Boat, on Friday, November 7, 2014, 6:30-9:30pm at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143. This fundraiser is a benefit for Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance (NAMA), www.namanet.org.

For almost 20 years NAMA has been rocking the boat! We’ve been shaking up the systems, policies, processes, markets and narratives that are dominating fishery policies and marine conservation. Rock The Boat is NAMA’s first benefit event featuring, art, food, education, and an auction. The evening will be joined by singer-songwriter Chelsea Berry and the Bob Marley tribute band, Hope Road.

Dance to the music of singer-songwriter Chelsea Berry and groove to the tunes of Bob Marley tribute band Hope Road. Enjoy food provided by supportive restaurants and hospitals – yes we said hospitals! – creating delicious bites using regional sea and land food. Snack on vegetarian raviolis rolled out all night by Joe Gatto of “From Scratch” TV. Imbibe on some local beer, wine and healthy sodas. Learn from thoughtful chefs. Take part in a silent auction. Celebrate our living fishing economies. And support our efforts to keep rocking the boat!

If you can’t make it, buy a ticket for someone who can but can’t afford it by checking the “Rock the Boat Without Me!” ticket box. We’ll prioritize distributing those tickets to fishing community advocates.

See you November 7th! Come Rock the Boat with us!

Rock the Boat aims to fund programs in continuing the work of NAMA to:

  • Promote taking control of the seafood in our food system
  • Increase awareness about racial equity, economic justice, and food access
  • Celebrate the work of community-based fishermen everywhere
  • Inform fisheries policy makers about the importance of support for community-based, independent fishermen and their families
  • Advocate for small and medium scale fishermen
  • Support food workers along the entire food chain

 

Entertainment

Chelsea Berry – A singer and songwriter with incredible edge, power, and finesse.
Enjoy a voice of remarkable power and control with a joyous soul at Rock the Boat!
 
Hope Road – A tribute band recreating the music, the passion, and the vibe of Bob Marley & The Wailers. Enjoy and embrace with them at Rock the Boat!

Vendor list
Please note: This is only a partial list. More vendors are coming!

Joe Gatto is a private chef, culinary instructor and host of his own killer cooking show From Scratch.

 

 Johnny’s Luncheonette – Newtown, MA
  ROCKs – Reaching out to cook with kids

Have questions about NAMA’s Rock the Boat!? Contact Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance

Live blogging “The Blue Duck” caught on cam

I just caught Paul Morrison mooning the Eagle with his partner RD on board the Blue Duck.. For the sake of the Gmg readers i’ll spare you that view.

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Speaking of Irish Drinking an Sailing Music….

Joey’s rant on Shanty music reminded me of this Band.

Before there were the Drop Kick Murphy’s, There were the “POGUES”. A mix of Irish Drinking and Shanty Music.

Uncensored

ENJOY!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQax3M5-hSc

Bridget Mathews Shares Last Nights Stunning Sunset Photos From Lighthouse Beach

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bridget mathews sunset friday night  labor day weekend 2014

Lighthouse Beach Annisquam

bridget matews annisquam lighthouse photo labor day weekend 2014

Photos provided by my incredibly talented and dear friend Bridget Mathews

 

VIDEO: USCG EAGLE FROM THE AIR – MAJESTY AT SEA!

 

USCGC Eagle in Gloucester Harbor

USCG Barque Eagle Gloucester MA ©Kim Smith 2014 -1

Photos of the USCGC Eagle arriving today in Gloucester Harbor ~ It was tremendously beautiful to see the Eagle moving through the Harbor. I am looking forward to seeing this majestic cutter under full sail!

The Eagle is open to the public for free tours today, Saturday, the 30th, from 10am to 7pm.

USCG Barque Eagle Gloucester MA -3 ©Kim Smith 2014

From the Coast Guard website: Built at the Blohm + Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany in 1936, and commissioned as Horst Wessel, Eagle is one of three sail-training ships operated by the pre-World War II German navy. At the close of the war, the ship was taken as a war reparation by the U.S., re-commissioned as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle and sailed to New London, Connecticut, which has been its homeport ever since. Eagle has offered generations of Coast Guard Academy cadets, and more recently officer candidates, an unparalleled leadership experience at sea.

Read more about the USCGC Cutter here.

From wiki: A barque, barc, or bark is a type of sailing vessel with three or more masts having the foremasts rigged square and only the aftermast rigged fore-and-aft.

Thanks to Joey for the alert that the Eagle had arrived!

USCG Barque Eagle Gloucester MA -4 ©Kim Smith 2014USCG Barque Eagle Gloucester MA ©Kim Smith 2014 -2