Day: December 22, 2016

Pop up at Pauline’s Gifts: Folly Cove rum made for a tasty eggnog, custom ornaments, and flags of course

Posted on by Catherine

Busy night at Pauline’s Gifts. Ringo Tarr picked up flags for the Boulevard donated by members of the Cape Ann Business Alliance. Councilor Val Gilman stopped in and Cory from The Bridge was streaming from the store, interviewing Pauline and Bob Ryan of Ryan & Wood. Pauline’s son Michael served up two special cocktails. We went for the rum. I ordered two custom painted ornaments–one for a Dartmouth fan and a pink Patriots one. Now that I’ve seen a custom house ornament, I’ll have to narrow down one of my many house motifs for an order!

Small business news: Pauline has had one of the top December months since she’s been in business.

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HELLO LITTLE CHRISTMAS SNOW BUNTING!!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

snow-bunting-cape-ann-massachusetts-7-copyright-kim-smithThis sweet sparrow-sized bird caught my attention as it was feeding alongside a more subdued-hued Song Sparrow, both smack dab in the middle of the road. How could it not, with its strikingly patterned tail feathers, brilliant white underparts, and unusual hopping-walking-running habit.

snow-bunting-cape-ann-massachusetts-4-copyright-kim-smithAptly named Snow Bunting, and colloquially called  “Snowflake”, worldwide this little songbird travels furtherest north of any member of the passerine, breeding in the high Arctic tundra.

In Massachusetts, Snow Buntings are seen during the winter along the coastline and in small flocks, foraging on seeds and tiny crustaceans.

I hope more Snow Buntings join the lone Snowflake spotted on Eastern Point. If you see a Snow Bunting, please write and let us know. Thank you!snow_bunting_map_big sneeuwgorsm
snbu_ad_gth1Snow Bunting in Arctic summer breeding plumage, photo courtesy BirdNote

Sax Gordon Tonight! Dave Sag’s Blues Party 8:30pm @ The Rhumb Line 12.22.2016

Posted on by Joanne

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I know a lot of you are frustrated from the ravages of Father Time and an eerie lack o’ wanna so, why not get hip to the latest and greatest in the phony cyber world of adult matchmaking services? Try new Carbondating® for adults. Just send in a sample of hair (if any), spittle, or toe jam and the wonderful failed German South American doctors at our cosmetic laboratory will have you fixed up in no time with a truly compatible specimen. Just like you! And if that doesn’t work, try this:
Our special Xmas show this Thursday features the clinically-proven Magi of Mayhem: Mr. Gordon “Sax” Beadle. With his own brand of fairy dust, Big G, catnip to your ears, will have you convulsing in the aisles,whilst you beg to donate to our Musician’s Retirement Plan©, and just basically turning the old bar into a steaming heap of writhing bodies.

D.S.

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http://www.saxgordon.com/

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40 Railroad Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930
(978) 283-9732

http://www.therhumbline.com/

Nichole’s Picks 12/24 + 12/25 (kind of)

Posted on by Nichole S.

Well, hmmm.  Not sure what I’m supposed to tell you to do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day….other than treasure your time with friends, family, and loved ones.  Enjoy every moment….and be in the moment.  Have a happy holiday, create memories, share some magic, and savor the minutes together.  Please also take some time to reflect on those who are not enjoying their holiday season…those who are sad, sick, hurting, lonely, cold, or hungry…those whose downward days are only more punctuated on these days that we consider special. 

The weather, while not like last year’s 70 degree Christmas, should be in the 40s so get outside, listen to nature, walk the dogs…..and continue the spirit of giving by leaving small treats outside for the wildlife.  We like to sprinkle bird seed and cover pine cones with peanut butter and seed for the critters. Sometimes we drop fruit and vegetables on our favorite paths in the woods.

As the last part of “Christmas in Rockport”, Santa will be visiting Dock Square at 12:30 in the afternoon we hand out baskets full of treats to the town’s children and to give them the opportunity to say “Thank you” for all of his hard work during the holiday season.  The boys will write “Thank you” letters and deliver them to Santa Christmas morning.  It has always been a nice tradition….rather just writing lists of what they want for Christmas…they also get to thank him as well.

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Reaffirmation of my fear of heights.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Look, I don’t care if I’m two feet off the ground.  Tor some reason my knees get wobbly.  So for the same reason I don’t go hiking in the woods to go get infested with tick bites and die, don’t mess around with dogs that want to eat me-  I don’t climb up ladders only to fall to my untimely death.

Gloucester police led ANGEL program: amazing first year stats published in New England Journal of Medicine

Posted on by Catherine

376 people, some seeking help more than once, and 94.5% direct placement! 36.6% were from the local region which included 11.8% Gloucester residents. Gloucester’s involvement helped a lot of people.

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From Boston University School of Public Health and Boston Medical Center excerpt:

“From June 2015 through May 2016 (the first year of the program), 376 different persons presented for assistance a total of 429 times. The demographic characteristics of the participants are shown in Table 1  (‘Table 1 Sociodemographic and Substance-Use Characteristics of the 376 Angel Program Participants’) and are similar to those reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for persons who are admitted to treatment programs for an opioid-use disorder in Massachusetts.3 Of the persons who sought treatment through the program, 11.8% resided in Gloucester, 24.8% lived in the surrounding county, 16.8% were homeless, 5.6% were from states other than Massachusetts, and the remainder came from elsewhere in Massachusetts. In 12 instances, the person was ineligible for drug detoxification because immediate medical attention was required. In 94.5% of instances in which a person presented for assistance and was eligible (394 of 417), direct placement was offered;…”

Article link

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc1611640

 

Sirloin Roast on the @WeberGrills Kettle

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Northeast BBQ

Very simple. Trim excess fat off the roast.

Rub down with EVOO.

Sprinkle on the John Henry’s East Texas Brisket Rub (you can use any rub you’d like)

Set up the kettle using the snake method.

Cherry Chips and apple wood for smoke.

Cook offset the coals til 125 internal temp.

Remove temp probe and sear directly over the coals just to get a little color and caramelizing.

Let rest for 5 minutes minimum.

Slice thin and enjoy!

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Looking for Winter Fun? Try Stories from the Wildside!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Cape Ann Community

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Kestrel is excited to present “Stories from the Wild Side”! An in- depth (pun intended) winter exploration of animal tracking and story telling.  The class will be split into two 4-class field sessions, meeting every Saturday morning, and culminating in a project day at the Get Outside Center at 186 Main st Gloucester at the end of each session.dsc02785

Traipse through snowy woodlands in search of wildlife evidence and tracks. Practice tracking animals and reading clues to the life of the forest. Learn techniques for developing characters, drawing readers into a place, and creating intriguing plots.
Work independently or as a team to create an original nature based fiction story featuring the discoveries we have made, and your own imagination. Students can utilize any medium to tell their story; from written work to drawing to a diorama, or anything in between.

For more details click here!

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