Kate representing the 01930 In Cozumel (Get the shirt at Pop Gallery)

At its meeting of March 3, 2016, the Gloucester Board of Health voted unanimously to change the minimum age for the purchase of tobacco and nicotine products in the community from 18 years old to 21. In doing so, Gloucester becomes the 100th community in Massachusetts to raise the age for the purchasing for tobacco and nicotine products.

Discussion regarding the possibility of raising the purchase age began at the Board of Health meeting of November 2015 when Board members asked then Health Director, Noreen Burke, to invite Joyce Redford, director of the North Shore/Cape Ann Tobacco Control Program, to inform the Board on the issue.

Ms. Redford appeared before the Board at their meeting of January 7, 2016 and presented information including other area communities, such as Salem, Saugus, Swampscott, Danvers, and Peabody, had recently raised their purchase age to 21, as had Boston. Nearly 42% of the population in Massachusetts live in communities where the purchase age for tobacco and nicotine delivery products is now 21.

A March 2015 report by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies stated that “…the committee concludes that raising the minimum age of legal access to tobacco products in the United States, particularly to ages 21 and 25, will likely lead to a substantial reduction in smoking prevalence. If the MLA (minimum legal age) were raised now, the models projected that by the time today’s teenagers were adults, there would be a 3 percent decrease in prevalence of tobacco use among those adults if the MLA were raised to 19, a 12 percent decrease if raised to 21…”

The Board then set a public hearing for its meeting of February 4, 2016 to discuss changing its tobacco regulation to include raising the minimum purchase age to 21 years, as well as requesting restaurants that have outdoor seating areas where smoking is permissible, post a sign stating whether or not they allow patrons to smoke in those areas.

The 32 businesses holding tobacco permits with the Health Department, as well as restaurants with outdoor seating, were sent a notification of the hearing by mail.

After discussion, review of information and public comment, the Board closed its hearing on the matter and voted on adoption of the proposed changes at its meeting of March 3rd.

“This is an important step in our efforts to prevent teens from starting to smoke,” said Rich Sagall, MD, chair of the Board of Health. “Gloucester is joining many other communities, both in Massachusetts and around the country, in limiting teenagers access to tobacco products.”

Enforcement of the new minimum age limit will begin June 1, 2016. A notice will be sent to all businesses notifying them of the changes in the regulations, with copies being available at the Health Department and the Department’s page of the City website:

http://www.gloucester-ma.gov/index.aspx?nid=183

I was pointed to this website by a friend in Miami FL. From their site I clipped link and paragraph below about a student art contest.

Not sure anyone ’round here has heard of it but with our heritage with the sea, Ocean Alliance and all the arts you publicize on Rocky Neck seems like there might be some interest from someone-

http://www.fromthebowseat.org/contest.php

“We invite middle and high school students from around the world to participate in the 2016 Ocean Awareness Student Contest! The theme is Making Meaning out of Ocean Pollution, and it challenges you to research, explore, interpret, and say something meaningful about the connections between human activities and the health of our oceans. 

This year, we challenge you to focus on ONE type of ocean pollution and “make meaning” of it through art, poetry, prose, or film.
Best,

Rob Paterson

Name this restaurant-

I was looking for a set of grill gloves to handle the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet.  When opening up all the vents on the pit and getting that cast iron searing hot, the last thing you want to do is for…

Source: Product Review- X-Chef Heat Resistant Silicone BBQ Grilling Gloves

First of all I never would have been standing on something over two feet off the ground without some type of handle or something.  Second of all animals want to kill and eat you.  So, no, I’ll never have to worry about being in this type of situation.  I’ll be in the cafe on the second floor overlooking all the suckers getting maimed by bulls while I drink a beer.

That’s how I roll sucka.

Cape Ann Museum Photo Contest

March 9, 2016 ~ Cape Ann Museum

Inspired by Home Online Photo Contest

In conjunction with this summer’s exhibition, Design/Build: The Drawings of Phillips & Holloran, Architects, the Museum is hosting an online photography contest. Photographers are invited to submit images based on the theme of “home” that capture the unique character of Cape Ann (photos must be taken in Rockport, Gloucester, Essex or Manchester-by-the-Sea). Whether a physical place, a distant memory or a local reminder, there is inspiration to be found throughout Cape Ann’s distinct architecture, neighborhoods and cultural districts.

Deadline for submission: April 29, 2016

Interior of the Capt. Elias Davis House at the Cape Ann Museum

Each entrant must complete and sign one entry form (download here).

For more information visit: Cape Ann Museum Photo Contest

OPEN HOUSE this Thursday at Eastern Point Day School!

March 7, 2016 ~ epdsfrontdesk

Are you or someone you know looking for a new school? Interested in finding out more about our homeschool program? New to the area? Consider Eastern Point Day School!

Join us for OPEN HOUSE this THURSDAY, March 10! 1:00 to 3:00 pm @ 8 Farrington Ave, near Niles Beach!

Open houses at EPDS are a great way to learn about our school and programs for PreK through 8th Grade! Interested students and their families are welcome and encouraged to attend! Our kids will share with you why they love this school, as they tour you through our classrooms. From a parent’s perspective, you’ll learn about our focus on academic excellence, small class sizes, respect for your child’s individualism and our reasonable tuition.

Can’t make an Open House? CONTACT US anytime to schedule a tour!

Call us at 978.283.1700 or via email: epdsfrontdesk@gmail.com

And don’t forget to check out our Facebook page to see what our kids are up to!

Paint Nite Fundraiser

March 8, 2016 ~ coliecatherine

Paint Nite Fundraiser to benefit the East Gloucester Vikings Youth Program

Date: Wednesday May 4th

Time : 7pm

Where: Mile Marker One

Purchase tickets at: https://paintnite.com/events/1055137.html

Little Tykes Summer Program at EPDS!

March 8, 2016 ~ epdsfrontdesk

Hey PreK Parents!!! Is it too early to think about Summer?! We think not!

Eastern Point Day School is offering a Little Tykes Summer Program, run by our fabulous PreK/Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Gaeta! First session begins June 27th!

For more information, please visit our website or give us a call! 978.283.1700

Elder Law Presentation: Protecting Your Assets—Myths & Misinformation

March 8, 2016 ~ trixy546

SeniorCare Inc. will host a presentation by Attorney Natalie A. Simon addressing concerns we have as we age and steps we can take to protect our financial interests on Thursday, April 7, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the SeniorCare offices located at 49 Blackburn Center in Gloucester, MA.

Attorney Simon will address concerns about losing assets if it becomes necessary to enter a nursing facility. In addition, she will discuss how best to prepare legally, including the creation of critical documents (i.e., Health Care Proxy, Durable Power of Attorney and Advance Directives). Finally, Attorney Simon will discuss trusts and who needs them, who does not, whether or not it is important to avoid probate, and the myths and misinformation that are causing confusion in this important decision-making process.

Natalie A. Simon, Esquire

Natalie A. Simon is a Gloucester, Massachusetts elder law attorney. Attorney Simon received her JD, cum laude, from Boston College Law School in 1981, and, after associations with Boston law firms, opened her own elder law practice in Gloucester. She has been a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys since 1991, is a founding officer of its Massachusetts Chapter and has served on the Chapter’s Board of Directors since its inception. She has received awards for Outstanding Achievement from the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and its Massachusetts Chapter. Attorney Simon was delighted to have been asked to join the Board of Directors of SeniorCare Inc. in 2013.

There is no charge for the workshop.  For information and to reserve your space, contact Tracy Arabian at SeniorCare Inc. at 978-281-1750 x-508 or tracy.arabian@seniorcareinc.org.

March 11 Meeting of the Gloucester Area Astronomy Club

March 8, 2016 ~ Michael Deneen

On Friday March 11 GAAC is extremely fortunate to have Dr. John Hobbs with a presentation on his hands-on work in the Apollo era, analyzing moon rocks at Cornell University. John has an amazing, first-hand story to tell. If you’ve always wanted to meet and ask questions of someone personally involved in the science results from the Apollo Moon missions, this is your chance.

This one promises to be a lot of fun.

Dr. Hobbs received a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of New Hampshire, and spent a year as a National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the U.S. Army Materials and Mechanics Research Laboratory.

John also put in a year as a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in the Chemistry Department at Cornell University. It was at Cornell that he performed trace analysis on the Apollo 11 lunar samples.

More recently, John has had a long career developing security equipment for the Federal Aviation Administration.

Save the date! Come on in and enjoy an evening of great conversation, a terrific first-hand account of an important, historical series of events, and yummy things to eat and drink. All are welcome. We’re easy to find, the parking is free and plentiful, the people are always friendly, and there is no cost. It’s all good.

GAAC meets on the second Friday of the month at 8:00 pm, at the Lanesville Community Center, 8 Vulcan Street in the Lanesville neighborhood of Gloucester. For more information on the club see their website at http://gaac.us, their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/GAACpage, or on twitter, @GAACster.

2nd Annual Volunteer Recruitment Fair at Cruiseport

March 9, 2016 ~ trixy546

The Open Door was one of over 30 exhibitors at the 2015 Volunteer Fair.

SeniorCare’s RSVP Volunteer Program will hold its Second Annual Volunteer Recruitment Fair at Cruiseport in Gloucester in celebration of National Volunteer Week on Thursday, April 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will be more than 30 nonprofits with information about how volunteers can get involved and make a difference. Nonprofits representing a wide range of needs throughout the community are looking for volunteers of any age.  The Volunteer Fair is made possible through a grant from the Massachusetts Service Alliance, with support from SeniorCare and Cruiseport. For information about how to join the fair and have a table, contact elizabeth.caron@seniorcareinc.org or 978-281-1750.

Sharpen Your Scalpels! MG HarborLAB Lobster 101

March 9, 2016 ~ maritimegloucesterprograms

Register Today… Only a Few Seats Remaining!