Day: January 17, 2015

Introducing New Chamber Board President Catherine Schlichte

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce To Hold 93rd Annual Dinner Dance On January 24

The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce invites you to Cape Ann’s biggest social gathering, the 93rd Annual Dinner Dance! Come hear 2014 Chamber President, Mike Luster, speak about this past year’s accomplishments while passing the torch to Catherine Schlichte, who will address what 2015 has in store! This premier social gathering is hosted by Cruiseport at 6 Rowe Square in Gloucester, MA. The Cocktail Reception will begin at 6:00 pm followed by dinner, a short speaking program and of course, dancing until 11:00 pm! This year’s event will feature The Carlos Menezes Band and Mari Martin.

“One of my main focuses this year will be getting the Cape Ann License plate on the road,” said incoming Chamber President Catherine Schlichte. “The Chamber team did a great job last year getting the plate launched, with fantastic community support; and I am confident that with the right promotional push we will achieve the 1,500 applications needed for the registry to make the plates. The revenue dollars generated through this initiative will support our three main objectives: 1) Promotion of the region, 2) Economic Development, and 3) Education.”

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“The theme for my Presidency is ‘Membership’ as depicted in our Annual Dinner illustration, ‘The Stars are out Tonight’! As a membership based organization, our members are our stars.  Our effectiveness as a Chamber is strengthened with the guidance and input provided by our members. We have 800 members today, with great representation from each of our four communities. In 2015 we are looking to grow our membership and provide improved products and services.”

Ken Riehl, Chamber CEO, echoed Catherine’s sentiments in reiterating his priorities for the year: “to further stabilize and grow the Chamber through improved Chamber programs, increased business partnering, and better Chamber communication and outreach. I spent a considerable amount of time last year walking all four community’s main streets, and look forward to continuing this year working with all businesses to more completely communicate and build trust in our services. The Chamber’s Dinner Dance is a fantastic way to catch-up with business colleagues, meet new people and have a lot of fun while doing it – Catherine and I look forward to seeing everyone there, and to a terrific year for the Chamber and the Cape Ann Community.”

RSVP along with payment, $85 a person; call the Chamber or online registration is available at www.capeannchamber.com.

Cape Ann Winter Birding Weekend returns January 30 – February 1

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Bird watchers from throughout New England will flock to Cape Ann to participate in the sixth annual Cape Ann Winter Birding Weekend presented by The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Swarovski Optik, The Retirement Financial Center, Thomas T. Riquier, CFP; and Mass Audubon. The Elks at Bass Rocks in Gloucester will serve as headquarters for the weekend event on January 30 through February 1.

Cape Ann is known to birdwatchers worldwide for its exciting concentrations of winter seabirds, and the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, working with Mass Audubon, has planned a weekend filled with a variety of events for all levels of birders.

Robert Buchsbaum from Mass Audubon and Bird Naturalist Jim MacDougall will be featured speakers during the weekend. Not to be missed on Saturday, January 31 will be a live Owl presentation hosted by Eyes on Owls. www.eyesonowls.com

Expert guides will lead bus trips to many of the birding hot spots around Cape Ann. For those who cannot make it on the guided tours other expert guides will be on site at the Elks throughout the day on Saturday, January 31. A bird-watching excursion aboard 7 Seas Whale Watch’s Privateer IV will take place on Sunday, February 1 (weather permitting) out of Gloucester Harbor.  The cost for the boat trip is $60 per person.

On Friday, January 30, from 1 to 3 pm, Trident Gallery, located at 189 Main Street, Gloucester, will kick off Winter Birding Weekend with a workshop titled “”Drawing Birds and Wildlife from Nature”.  Artist Sandy McDermott, will guide the participants on the close observation and field sketching of birds and other wildlife.  No prior drawing experience is necessary. Reservations are required as space is limited so sign up early.

Space is still available for the Cape Ann Winter Birding Weekend and people are encouraged to register in advance.  Register for the event and find more information, including a detailed schedule of activities, by visiting the Chamber website at www.capeannchamber.com.

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Holiday Delights on Cape Ann TV This Weekend

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

This just in from Lisa Smith:

Keep Warm, stay inside this MLK weekend and watch “Holiday Delights” on Cape Ann TV Channel 12. This latest version of the Gloucester Stage perennial favorite Christmas play was filmed with three cameras last month. It features over 30 young actors from the Gloucester Stage Youth Acting Workshop and tells the story of a Gloucester girl who finds the true  meaning of Christmas on Christmas Eve. The program airs Saturday, January 17 at 9 am and 5 pm; Sunday, January 18 at 8 am; and Monday,  January 19 at 9 am and 6 pm.  See complete Cape Ann TV Schedule here.

Lou Holtz Quote of the Week from Greg Bover

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

“Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.”

Lou Holtz (1937-    )

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Best known as a football coach and motivational speaker, Holtz is a West Virginia native who had a brief career as a player at Kent State. Famously quick witted, his inspirational abilities have allowed him to hold head coaching positions at six different academic institutions and to compile a 249-132-7 record. Although hired by Notre Dame with a lifetime contract, it is rumored that he was forced to retire before he broke Knute Rockne’s record of 105 wins with that team. He is a commentator for ESPN and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. A long-time Republican, he frequently appears on Fox News, but also donated to Hillary Clinton’s 2008 effort.

Greg Bover

Cape Ann Museum free for Gloucester residents during the month of January

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

http://www.capeannmuseum.org/
About the Cape Ann Museum

The Cape Ann Museum tells multiple stories, all relating to a single remarkable place. From its earliest days as a fishing and shipping port to its mid-19th century role in the granite industry, to its singular charms of light and sea that have attracted countless artists from the 19th century to the present, Cape Ann boasts a rich and varied culture of nationally significant historical, industrial, and artistic achievement. The Museum’s fine art collection includes the largest grouping of works by native son and renowned marine artist, Fitz Henry Lane, as well as work by other prominent painters and sculptors who lived on, visited or were inspired by Cape Ann. The work of contemporary Cape Ann artists is also collected and exhibited. The permanent collection includes fine and decorative arts, and artifacts from the major industries of the area – the fisheries and granite quarrying.

Founded in 1873 as the Cape Ann Scientific and Literary Association, today the Museum is a vibrant cultural center that includes galleries, an auditorium, library/archives, a children’s activity center, two sculpture gardens and two historic homes.

In addition to its permanent collections, the Museum offers a rotating schedule of special exhibitions throughout the year as well as related programs and events.

Visit us today to discover the treasures of Cape Ann.

So This Happened

Posted on by Nichole S.

In the category of Never a Dull Moment…

I’ve been teaching for 22 years.  I’ve seen a lot.  I have had all sorts of excellent…and funny…and puzzling things happen….but, never…ever, this.  Until this week.

We have two crested geckos.  I’ve always believed in having a lot of pets.  It is a time suck when you’re the one ultimately responsible for caring for them (even with lots of helpful hands), but the lessons for the students are invaluable. We’ve had your run-of-the-mill hamsters and gerbils…and now the coolest guinea pig around.  We’ve also had a hedgehog and a rabbit.  We’ve had birds…and more fish than I can count.  We’ve also had tree frogs, anoles, a tortoise…and now geckos. There were a few years before I had the boys that I had a fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal all at one time so that we could really learn first-hand the different classifications of Phylum Chordata.  I digress.

The children have always treasured having the opportunity to interact and care for these critters and they’ve also provided fantastic learning opportunities.

What better way to learn the parts of a fish…ventral fins, pectoral fins, dorsal fin, caudal fin, gill openings, lateral line, etc…than observing a real live fish?

You get my point.

So, this week we learned that when a gecko feels threatened (don’t ask) it will “drop its tail” in an attempt to distract the predator so that it can flee.  Fascinating.  Most geckos will grow a new tail.  Crested geckos do not.  They can, however, live happy and healthy lives without their tails.  Phew.

What happens after the tail falls off, you may ask?  Well, see for yourself.

 

What’s Happening at GHS

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

FAFSA Assistance: Planning on going to college in the 2015-16 academic year? Then don’t miss this free event which you can receive free help filing the FAFSA, the federally required form for all students seeking financial aid. The College Success Program will help you and your family complete the FAFSA and answer questions about your specific circumstances. All seniors and their parents are encouraged to attend on SATURDAY, JANUARY, 31, 2015 between 10am-3pm at Endicott College-Gloucester campus (33 Commercial Street). *Registration is required* To register, learn more, and for a list of documents to bring with you please mail Norma Ramirez at nramirez@leap4ed.org

Or call 978-740-6667 x 106, or speak with your guidance counselor.

Students from the graduating Class of 2014 presented all of their knowledge and expertise to this year’s seniors in their English classes. Words of expertise included: ~ Do not go home the first few weekends but rather stay on campus and get to know what is available and your surroundings ~ attend the clubs and activities fair and sign up for everything and then later you can decide what to join but you will receive information on all clubs ~ definitely visit the college before you decide to attend and do not wait until the last minute if you will be living on the campus because it is important to get on campus housing ~ complete the FAFSA so you can get work study because most of the jobs are not too tough and you can make pocket money for the week ~ SET YOUR ALARM ~ and lastly laundry is expensive!

The exam schedule follows:

Mid – Year Exams

ABC 1/21/15

DE Make-Up 1/22/15

FG Make-Up 1/23/15

UPCOMING DATES OF INTEREST

Martin Luther King Day January 19

January 27, 2015 early Release, ½ day for students

New England International Auto Show

Posted on by Nichole S.

I should have included this in my Weekend Pics for sure.  I realize that not all kids are car enthusiasts like my boys, but it is still a good time.  I attended the auto show all the time when I was younger (in addition to the boat show) and I always enjoyed it.

New England Auto Show

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

415 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210

Tix are $15 for Adults and $6 for Kids.  Kids under 6 are free (Yay, Finn!)

Driving Directions

January 15-19, 2015

Thursday, 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Friday, 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Sunday, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Monday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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Backyard Growers Spring Salad Workshop

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hey Good Morning Gloucester!

We have another big event coming up in addition to the fish tasting…and again we would be very grateful if you would help us promote it.

Spring may seem a long way off, but it’s really just around the corner. To ring in the spring and show off their brand new office, Backyard Growers is holding their annual Groundhog Day spring salad planting workshop on Saturday January 31 from 10:00 am – 11:30 am at 269 Main Street. 

The theme of the day: the versatile and colorful world of lettuces! Learn why lettuces are perfect early spring crops while you taste salad samples, plan your spring garden, and plant some seeds for early greens. Participants will leave with:

  • Ready-to-go windowsill lettuce plants
  • Plans for your spring garden
  • New, healthy salad dressing recipes
  • Everything you need to hit the ground running this spring!

No need to get a baby sitter – it’s a family event! Kids will be involved in the process and in their own fun activities like making salad dressings for salad samples. 

​The workshop is free to 1st and 2nd year Backyard Growers and only $15 for any families outside of the program.

However, space is limited! Click this link to sign up today and reserve your spot before January 25!

Interested in volunteering? Sign up here!

Community Stuff 1/17/15

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Winterfest breakfast with Disney characters.

                Come enjoy a pancake, sausage, and fruit breakfast with Disney characters and children’s games while enjoying the sounds of the GHS Docksiders band.

                When:  Saturday January 24th, at Gloucester High School from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

                Cost:  $6 per person with children 1 and under free

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TBT POST-

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-Promotion begins 1/15/15 – Winner will be announced Valentine’s Day!

Prizes must be claimed by 04/01/2015

Phyllis A Annual Meeting

at Rocky Neck Cultural Center
January 24, 2015
4:30-7 pm
Join us for chowder and cream puffs!
Hear the amazing news of the past year,
and our plans for 2015!
Enjoy a performance by “Three Sheets to the Wind,” and participate in a rousing sing-a-long!

Suggested donation of $10.00 per person
Please RSVP by January 19, 2015,
so we can plan accordingly.
Or leave a message at 978-381-3901

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Gloucester Democratic City Committee Launches New Film Series

First Screening in honor of MLK weekend is Monday, January 19, 7pm.

In partnership with the Cape Ann Community Cinema and Stage (CACAS), the Gloucester Democratic City Committee (GDCC) is sponsoring a new film series on important social and political issues. It will run the third Monday of each month.

The inaugural screening will be 7pm, Monday, January 19. We’ll see “The Night James Brown Saved Boston.” It’s the remarkable story of how—shortly after Martin Luther King was assassinated—Mayor Kevin White urged The Godfather of Soul to go ahead with his concert at Boston Garden and to have it broadcast on public television. It’s particularly fitting that we will see this documentary on MLK weekend.

The theater is located at 21 Main St., Gloucester. There will be no charge for this first show but we encourage donations to our partner, Cape Ann Cinema and Stage.  Tickets will be available on a first-come basis at the door.  Join us for an informative evening—and great company!

Deanna Fay

For the Gloucester Democratic City Committee