Month: February 2019
Watch out for Scams
From the Gloucester Daily Times:
Close call for resident in energy scam
By Ray LamontStaff Writer
Gloucester police have put the kibosh to an apparent scam attempt involving the city’s new electricity service partnership.
A Riverside Avenue resident told police last week that solicitors representing a company called SFE Energy, out of Buffalo, New York, approached her home, and asked her about her home energy service.
She explained to them that she had signed on with a deal offered through the city’s new community electricity aggregation program, which launched last fall.
Under the program, a New York-based consulting firm, Green Energy LP, acts as a broker to find energy suppliers for the city, with the goal of helping residents save money on their bills and conserve energy in the process. The firm secured an agreement between the city and Direct Energy LLP, which took effect Dec. 1. Residents were automatically enrolled for a basic service program if they did not opt out.
So last week, the solicitors told the woman that the city’s agreement was expiring, and that she could and should switch her service to SFE, which was offering lower rates and a $75 rebate on the SFE program. She signed on. But there was a problem — none of what the solicitors told her was true.
The woman called police and the office of Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, all of whom assured her that thecity’s three-year energy deal with Direct Energy is not expiring.
“We investigated it,” said interim police Chief John McCarthy on Thursday. “We talked to the parent company (SFE) and they terminated service with their subcontractor (who had hired the solicitors working in Gloucester that day).”
McCarthy emphasized that SFE Energy was “very cooperative” and acted quickly upon hearing of the report. He also said that officers quickly confirmed there were no energy service solicitors who had obtained permits from police, as required, at the time.
“One contract (for service) that was signed was voided,” he added, with the contract likely being that of the resident who called.
Police logs of the incident indicated that officers who responded to the resident’s call and spoke to her were unable to locate the solicitors, and no criminal charges have been filed.
But McCarthy said the incident should serve as a reminder to all residents when it comes to dealing with solicitors.
“Anytime anyone is out soliciting, they need to have approval from the police,” he said, “and people should call to verify if someone (who approaches them) has that approval.”
Staff writer Ray Lamont can be reached at 978675-2705, or vie email at rlamont@gloucestertimes. com.
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Try Hockey for Free
Saturday afternoon 1:00 – 2:00 at Talbot Rink
Advance registration is required at www.tryhockeyforfree.com
This event is designed to provide kids, between the ages of 4 to 9, a completely free experience to try youth hockey. A limited amount of equipment is available to borrow. Our top coaches will be on the ice to assist your child in learning the basics. Your son or daughter does not need any previous skating or hockey experience.
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Thermopop Open Box Sale Is A Great Deal For Any Chef At $23.50
An essential piece of cooking equipment is knowing when your food is done. Whether it be an expensive tenderloin or a pork shoulder. Why would you chance ruining the meat when you can know in seconds where your at with the internal temp.
I just bought two. One for the house and one for the dock. Thermoworks is regarded as the best on the BBQ circuit and this is a fantastic buy.
Here’s the link to the private sale. you only get notified if you’re on their mailing list. I happen to be on their mailing list so I shared the link for you to score one or two for yourself!
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Mr. Swan Doing Well
Mr. Swan and his friends seem to be having a great time recently on Henry’s Pond. It was nice to see him again! I even had a chance to “introduce” him to some young men who happened by and were curious. So heartening to know young people are interested in nature and wildlife.
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Eating In Playa Del Carmen
I’d just like to say to people that say that they wouldn’t go to Playa Del Carmen because they don’t think it’s safe- You’re really really dumb.
We spent a week there, ate like champs, walked around town at all hours of the night and felt as safe as could be. Not one second did I ever feel as if there was even a hint of danger. In fact I feel much safer walking around In Downtown Playa Del Carmen than I do ANYWHERE in the city of Boston.
Not talking about Mexico City or Juarez, I’m talking specifically about Playa Del Carmen. The people are incredibly friendly. The tourists are from all over the world. The food is EXCELLENT. The food and accommodations are great values. Can’t say enough about it. That’s why I go back year after year.
Here’s a sample of the food we ate last week-
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A MAGICAL MIRAGE CALLED AN ‘OMEGA’ MOONRISE
February’s Super Snow Moon was magical in more ways than simply beautiful. The unusual mirage captured during the Moon’s rise was seen by other Cape Ann photographers as well as myself. Lisa Freed from Rockport photographed the omega shape, rising adjacent to Motif No.1.
The effect has several names including Omega Moonrise, Etruscan Vase Moonrise, and Inferior Mirage Moonrise. The omega shape is seen more often during a sunrise, so it is quite exciting that we were witness to an Omega Moonrise on Cape Ann!
From my reading, this is how I understand why it occurs:
During cold weather, when the seawater is warmer than the air, the lowermost air layer is warmed up by the water and produces a temperature difference.
This omega shape is a type of inferior mirage. The refracted (inverted) image is actually below the object’s true position. When the Moon protrudes above the horizon at Moonrise, its inferior mirage can sometimes be seen below it, where it joins the true Moon, creating an omega shape. For this mirage to occur, a layer of very warm air must lie just above the sea surface.
Omega Moonrise (above)
A few minutes later
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So this is high tide #RockportMA and winter shoveling WINDY after super snow moon
Rockport, Mass.- Shoveling Windy just before high tide after the super snow moon
And then the dinghy.
Just before high tide
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A couple spots open for tonight’s wine dinner at Passports
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Tuesday Morning after snow
The snow look so pretty on Tuesday morning.
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Cornhole Tournie!
Scene from Mary Poppins February vacation program at Sawyer Free
Great children’s programs at Sawyer Free public library – thanks for sharing Mary Poppin’s visit!
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Apply now for Summer 2019 Internships at Maritime #GloucesterMA
Maritime Gloucester news from Sarah Oaks
Snow is on the ground here in Gloucester but it is time to start planning for summer 2019. We are thrilled to announce we are now accepting applications for the upcoming season’s internship program. Please forward (and post and share) the following link to all the college and high school students who may be interested in Maritime Gloucester this summer.
Maritime Gloucester Summer internship program
Maritime Gloucester 23 Harbor Loop Gloucester, MA 01930 978/281-0470
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Prom Dress Collection at MACFITNESS GLOUCESTER
Cleaning out the closets? WE are collecting gently used Prom Dresses, gently used shoes, jewelry, or unopened makeup until 3/22/19
Please drop off at MAC FITNESS GLOUCESTER, 6 Whistlestop Way
978-283-8900
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Gloucester Smiles=1156
Breakfast with Amy at Beauport Hotel
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Seed Starting Workshops with Backyard Growers
Join us for our very first Gardener Education Workshops of the season! Learn to start your veggies and flowers from seed as the winter days turn to spring.
You can purchase tickets and RSVP here.
Offered on two dates this year for convenience!
$10 admission
FREE for Backyard Growers program participants
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Wingaersheek in Winter
It was a gorgeous day and the beach was shining like a newly crowned princess.
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GHS/O’Maley Spring Sports Registration Open
1. Register on FamilyID
https://www.familyid.com/ gloucester-public-schools-ma- athletics
2. Complete the Online Concussion Course and save the certificate of completion provided at the end. Best to download that on to your FamilyID registration, or email it to blafata2@gloucesterschools. com
Link to concussion course:
https://nfhslearn.com/courses/ 61059/concussion-for-students
*If you completed the concussion course for a Fall 2018 or Winter 2018-19 sport, and the certificate is on file, you do not have to complete the course again until Fall of 2019.
3. All athletes must have documentation of an up to date physical within the past 12 months (it expires 13 months from the date of your last physical). Best to download that on to your FamilyID registration or email it to blafata2@gloucesterschools. com
*If you provided an up to date physical for a Fall 2018 or Winter 2018-19 sport, and it is on file, then you do not have to resubmit it.
4. Check payable to Gloucester High School Athletics for your user fee
REMINDER: STUDENT-ATHLETES WILL BE WITHHELD FROM PARTICIPATION OF ACTIVITIES UNTIL EVERYTHING IS COMPLETED.
All student-athletes must have past season’s uniforms and user fees turned in to the Athletic Department or student-athletes will be held out of their respective sport.
Important Spring Sports Dates:
There will be a mandatory parent/student-athlete meeting on Monday March 4th, 6pm, at the GHS field house. All student-athletes, and at least 1 parent/guardian, must attend this meeting. This meeting will be run by your sports Varsity Coach, so all must be in attendance.
Parents/Student-Athlete Meeting: 6pm Monday March 4th
Registration Closes: Monday March 11th
All Sports Tryouts/Practices Begin: Monday March 18th
If you have any questions please contact me.
Thank you,
Bryan Lafata
Athletic Director
Gloucester High School
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Around Town #93
Around Town on a Snowy day and the Super moon over Salt Island…
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GloucesterCast 323 With Jim and Pat Dalpiaz, Cat Ryan, Kim Smith and Joey Ciaramitaro Taped 2/20/19
GloucesterCast 323 With Jim and Pat Dalpiaz, Cat Ryan, Kim Smith and Joey Ciaramitaro Taped 2/20/19
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Topics Include:
Dieting is not fun when your life revolves around food.
Favorite Olive Oil Challenge
Costco vs BJs
Passport photos and travel habits. What kind of traveler are you? Link to info re passport photos: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/photos.html
Last chance to see travel exhibition Once Upon a Contest – Cape Ann Reads at Cape Ann Museum (CAM)
- and to see special temporary Bonnie L Sylvester mural at CAM- #GloucesterMA Public Art – last chance to Instagram temporary mural at Cape Ann Museum
- children’s book inspiration continues with Virginia Lee Burton exhibition and pat Lowery Collins
- amazing vacation week of Cape Ann Museum family workshops mini master classes Today’s paper:February vacation week programs at Cape Ann Museum
Vacation week Programming at Sawyer Free and Cape Ann Art Haven and special offers at Cape Ann Lanes and Cape Ann Marina
Two Bald Eagles at Niles Pond
Hector The Black Vulture being seen at Niles Pond
Three Young Swans at Niles Pond
Plover Ordinance meeting recap from Kim Smith
Common Milkweed and Marsh Milkweed recognized as best for Monarch Butterflies
Super Moon Full Snow Moon
Adventureman update 21 marathons to go- Perspective- he’s trying to enjoy every bit of it, says he’ll be sad when he is done.
Good Morning Gloucester 