Month: February 2017

The “Calm” Before the Storm

Posted on by Nichole S.

While the snow came later than expected, a full-blown winter storm was definitely in the air. We took a little tour of Rockport from Old Garden Beach, to Bearskin Neck, to Long Beach, and down Eden Road just before the storm blew in.  As we were driving home, the snow began to come down fast and furious.

img_0108img_0113img_0116

Storm: so it’s like this now

Posted on by Catherine
burst_cover_gif_action_20170209160011
After 4pm Gloucester
single-shot-from-gif
Before 6:30am or so
burst_cover_gif_action_20170209162942
After – 4pm or so (low tide)
burst_cover_gif_action_20170209082211
Before- 6:30am or so looking to Long Beach 

Quote of the Week

Posted on by gregbover

 

After a long hiatus this one just cried out to be shared:

“The most serious charge which can be brought against New England is not Puritanism, but February…Spring is too far away to comfort even by anticipation, and winter long ago lost the charm of novelty. It is the very three a.m. of the calendar.”

Joseph Wood Krutch (1893 – 1970)

joseph-wood-krutch-granger

A Knoxville native, Krutch received an undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee and then a doctorate in English Literature from Columbia. From the 1920’s to the 1950’s he was the theater critic for The Nation, a prominent magazine of the time, and also published well received biographies of Samuel Johnson and Henry David Thoreau. It was his study of the latter, and a move to Tucson, that lead to his own nature and conservation writing for which he is perhaps best known, including The Desert Year in 1951 and The Great Chain of Life in 1956. There is a cactus garden at the University of Arizona named in his memory.

 

This timely quote was stolen from the Sawyer Free Library’s excellent February newsletter which can be subscribed to here. My thanks to the uncredited author.

Greg Bover

GHS Senior night Boys hoop & Winter Cheerleaders

Posted on by David B. Cox

Tuesday night was senior night for Boys Hoop and Winter Cheerleaders despite the fact that the game was canceled due to the leaking roof.

Glow at dusk

Posted on by Bridgette Mathews

Heading home from work last night I had to stop at Stage Fort and grab some quick shots of the beautiful glow in the sky before it quickly went away.    Just a little gift of color before the storm clouds come in.  dscf6881-edit-edit-edit

Nichole’s Picks 2/11 + 2/12

Posted on by Nichole S.

Pick #1:  Salem’s So Sweet Festival

Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Festival – Feb. 10 through Feb. 12, 2017!

Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Destination Salem, and local retailers, restaurants, and businesses invite you to attend the 15th annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival. A decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping…don’t miss Salem’s sweetest event of the year!

salem-so-sweet-logo-final-317x3002017-salems-so-sweet-front

VISIT THIS LINK TO READ MORE

Pick #2:  Karen K. and the Jitterbugs at The Cabot

HEAD HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS OR READ MORE

Tickets are $13.50 for adults and $8.50 for children

KAREN K. & THE JITTERBUGS

9:30 Valentine Making
10:30 Show

Enjoy a special Valentine’s Day concert with Karen K and her imaginary friends, the Jitterbugs: Bumble (the bee who doesn’t like to sting), Stinky (loves playing outside, refuses baths), Hop (working on his patience and self control) and Slug Bug (he needs a LOT of naps).  Named “Best Kindie Band in Greater Boston 2016” by Mommy Poppins (41,000 votes), Karen and her band were also called “power pop that makes them fun for the whole family” by The Boston Globe!

Before the show, join your child in making a Valentine for a “Community Helper” from your town!  We’ll have all the makings for Valentines, plus mailboxes for the staff at PAWS New England, the local Fire and Police Departments, Public Works and more.

Pick #3:  CAM Kids: Be Mine, Valentine at the Cape Ann Museum

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

11:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.Youth and Family Programs

Families are invited to take a look at Victorian Valentines from the Museum’s collection and create a variety of cut paper cards. This event is free for families.

Get inspired! Take a look at some valentines from the Museum’s collection here.

CAM Kids is generously sponsored by David and Lisa Rich.

11
PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPE ANN MUSEUM 

As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid

Gloucester MA: bracing before winter storm

Posted on by Catherine

High tide is scheduled for 9:30AM– winds picking up just now with small fluttered white caps on green grey sea. All a calm beauty before 7am this morning.

img_20170209_064546

img_20170209_065356

burst_cover_gif_action_20170209081042

Smile and Express Gratitude: It’s Good for Your Health

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Karen Pischke BSN, RN's avatarCape Ann Wellness

Your Bridge to Health; Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and SpiritYour Bridge to Health; Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

A Smile Has Health Benefits for Mind, Body and Spirit. Research shows that the simple act of smiling, even when you don’t feel like it activates the brain’s neural messaging system with a variety of health benefits. No prescription needed, and no adverse side effects.

smile-620x330

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”      – Thich Nhat Hanh

How Smiling Affects Your Brain.  ‘Feel good’ neurotransmitters are released.

  • Release of dopamine (mediates pleasure in the brain, improves focus and attention.)
  • Release of endorphins (natural pain relief.)
  • Release of serotonin (improves mood.)
  • Muscle relaxation (relief of muscle tension.)
  • Lowering of blood pressure and heart rate.
  • Neuropeptides are also released (decreases stress and inflammation.)

View original post 1,133 more words

BARRED OWL TALONS

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

If I were a little creature, I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of these bad boys.

barred-owl-talons-copyright-kim-smith-copyGot an Itch

Interestingly, owls have a ratcheting mechanism in their foot, which keeps the toes locked around the prey or branch so the muscles don’t have to remain contracted.

Eyes on Owls is a terrific website for identifying owls commonly, and not so commonly, seen in New England. The owls are listed in descending order of how frequent their occurrence, from the most widespread to the rarest migrant. In our region, the Great Horned Owl is the most common, and the Barred Owl is a close second. Mass Audubon also provides a list of owls that breed in Massachusetts here.

City of Gloucester Closed Thursday for Snow Emergency

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Chris Sicuranza's avatarCape Ann Community

Tomorrow, Thursday, February 9th the City of Gloucester and all public buildings including City Hall and schools will be closed. Effective at 8:00 AM tomorrow, Thursday, February 9th, the city has declared a snow emergency and parking ban on all city streets due to an upcoming severe snow storm.

From 8:00 AM tomorrow, Thursday, February 9th, until 7:00 AM Friday, February 10th all vehicles are banned from parking on city streets.

Residents may park in all municipal and school parking lots.

Please remove all vehicles from municipal and school parking lots before the parking ban expires at 7:00 AM Friday. School parking lots will be the first areas to be ticketed and towed once parking ban has concluded. Violators of this emergency declaration will be at the owner’s expense. Your cooperation during this parking ban is necessary for efficient and safe snow removal efforts.

All residents and businesses are reminded…

View original post 120 more words