2013 Wheelers Point Thanksgiving Swim

This was the 25th anniversary of the Wheeler’s Point Thanksgiving Day Swim. Hosted by Dick and MJ Powers, the swim has grown from an original 4 swimmers to up to 70 swimmers. This year there were 22 hearty souls who braved the cold water, the cold temperature and the blustery winds!

Update: Amazon Offering Chromecast for $30 Black Friday Plus $6 In Google Play Store Credits! Poll- Has Anyone Here Cut Their Cable and/or Land Line Phone?

Just saw that Amazon is offering the Chromecast for $30 for Black Friday Today and giving $6 in Google Play Store Credits making the Chromecast an absolute no brainer steal stocking stuffer-  Here’s the Deal At Amazon

For $30 this is something that will have huge impact.  I freakin love mine!

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My guess is that anyone under the age of 30 either laughs or looks puzzled at why anyone would pay for a Land Line telephone or cable.

Reading the last couple years about online services like Hulu for $8/mo and Netflix for $8/mo there are whole slews of great television programming for tiny fractions of what you pay for traditional Comcast cable.

Yesterday I got the $35 Chromecast which plugs into the HDMI port on the back of your TV.  It allows for wifi streaming Television programming from your smartphone or tablet of Netflix or Hulu Plus programming to your TV.

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The amount of network and cable shows that are available through these two services are astounding and way more than I’d ever be able to watch.

The one thing that you don’t get is local cable which admittedly is a big deal for a lot of people (not for me though and I suspect not for a lot of younger people who laugh at the idea of being tied to the exorbitant cable tv package plans).

I used The Chromecast with Netflix yesterday.  It took me less than two minutes to set up and was set up in three crazy simple steps.  I mean so easy my mom could figure it out.

I was always skeptical of these things because the video streams wirelessly from your internet and I figured that the picture would be compromised but the picture was insanely clear.  The show I watched was crystal clear.  I could pause and resume using my iPad as the remote and watch without commercials.  And it remembers where you left off watching a show and you can pick it up watching it on your iPad, smartphone or on your TV.

So if you buy the $35 Chromecast (one time purchase) and sign up for $8/mo Netflix and $8/mo Hulu Plus.  You could completely kick your cable bill to the curb.  Of course you still need internet service.

As for local cable channels which I recognize is hugely important to some people there are still OTA (over the air) antenna sold that will pick up local channels.  I don’t know how effective they are and I’d love to hear from people that have gone this route.  These over the air antenna are smaller and sleeker and look like mini sculptures-

Here’s an example of one of these OTA antenna, the Mohu curve

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So if you can pay $35 once for the Chromecast and $16 a month for Netflix and Hulu Plus and $52 for the Mohu Curve which gets you local OTA channels and after that one initial outlay you’re only into it for $16 a month.

To me it’s a no brainer because I get my news on the internet.

Click here to read about Chromecast

Click here to read about the Mohu Curve

Do you know people who have eliminated home phone line and/or cable tv in favor of cell phones and/or streaming tv services like netflix or hulu plus?

Community Stuff 11/28/13

HI Joey,

Would it be possible to post this to your website? The Rockport Elementary School is starting a new program called “The Movement Breaks” .  Jane Panicucci, of the Active Learning Group, will be kicking off the new initiative with a community presentation on “The Physical Activity/Learning Connection “. The event is Free and open to all.

Sincerely,

Erin Canniff

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Hello,

My name is Jill Cahill, I am the Communications and Events Coordinator at Pathways for Children.  I wanted to reach out to you about our annual Holiday Toy Drive as it involves many local businesses and benefits children in our community.  I have attached an informational sheet for you.  I know that Good Morning Gloucester has become a very popular way for people in our community to find out about community happenings so we would truly appreciate any attention you can bring to this important effort.  I would be happy to send you pictures, graphics, or whatever you think would make this more fun to post.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Thanks!

Best,

Jill Cahill

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Hi Joey C & GMG Readers!
We thought we’d have some fun with all the “Black Friday” Madness so here are some exciting specials we’ll be offering all day this Friday.
We’ll be open extended hours 9am – 8pm along with many other shops throughout downtown Rockport!  
Thanks & Happy Thanksgiving!
Dawn Noble
La Provence
4 Main Street
Rockport, Ma 01966
978.546.5868
www.laprov.com

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Mark Your Calendars- The Middle street Walk Is Coming! December 14th, 2013

This is easily one of my top 4 events in Gloucester.  Fiesta, Horribles Parade, Schooner Festival, Middle Street Walk.  We all know there’s a ton more but Middle Street Walk is insane with the sheer number of things happening all within a couple blocks of each other.   The schedule of events will be posted here soon but right now do yourself a favor and mark your calendars for December 14th- The 2013 Middle Street Walk!

 

2013 Middle Street Poster 8.5x11

Thanks Gloria!

Check Out The Misery Map For A Constantly Updating Video Short Of Where Flights Are Most Cancelled

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Click on the arrow on the map to see it for yourself- pretty cool! (unless you’re flying that is)

Downtown Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting This Sunday!

Joe Ciolino forwards-

Mark your calendars – THIS Sunday is the downtown Holiday Parade, followed by the Kent Circle tree lighting!
It’s all free, and it isn’t too late to join the parade if you like! Either way come on down – details here:

Get all the Info at North Shore Kid-

Gloucester’s Santa Parade & Tree Lighting

Community Stuff 11/27/13

Hi Joey,

Thanks for the tweet.  Below is our announcement.  We are psyched that a Gloucester start up, not Mumbai or Silicon Valley but Gloucester’s incubator.  

Would love to share the news.  
Sincerely yours,

Charles de Gaspe Beaubien

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The Groupize Team has just returned from the 2013 PhoCusWright Travel Innovation Summit with a trophy.   We are pleased to share that Groupize received the honor of being named the most Innovative Emerging Travel Technology Company for 2013.  We were selected from a field of 30 finalists and PhoCusWright states that “only the world’s most innovate technology driven products and solutions are good enough to appear on stage and only the best of the best will be named Travel Innovation Summit winners”. 

 

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Esteemed judges included Executives from TripAdvisor, Priceline.com, Expedia, Cornell University, Queen’s Road Capital, Thayer Ventures, Triporati, Clear Sky Associates, Google, WeHostels, Salesforce.com and Brook Venture Fund.   The critics circle included Miriam Moscovici, Director of Emerging Technologies of BCD Travel, Evan Konwiser Co-Founder of FlightCaster and Erik Blachford, former President of Expedia and Venture Partner at Technology Crossover Ventures.

In the spirit of the week, Groupize is thankful to our team of advisors, investors, associates and clients for their role in receiving this award.

Sincerely yours,

Alisa de Gaspe Beaubien, Chief Operating Officer

Community Photos 11/26/13

M/V Beauport Princess photo from Anthony Marks

M/V Beauport Princess @ Cruiseport Gloucester

 


Bing McGilvray submits-

Finally fixing the stairs to the Courthouse/GPD from Rogers St. Noisy but necessary I guess.

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Sheila Maguire submits-

I am hoping you find this interesting enough to post on GMG…….thanks
Here is a sample of the many new crafts/art that will be available on December 7 th at the Trinity Congregational Holiday Fair and Luncheon, 70 Middle Street. These fish are appx. 18 inches long and have been painted by many people throughout the community.

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Tina Ketchopolos submits-

Seacoast Holiday Bazaar

held last Saturday was festive and fun!

Thank you to everyone who attended and

supported this wonderful event!

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The Manchester Athletic Club Crazy Free Deal

Hey Joey,

Long time no see!! Where have you been?

Can you please post the following on GMG? We started an AMAZING Black Friday promo early!!! Zero fees until 2014! No joining fee, the rest of this month for free and the whole month of December! Promotion ends on Cyber Monday- 12/2/13.

Call Samantha Larsen at the MAC at 978-526-8900 and secure the deal for yourself!

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See y’all there in January when work slows for me!

Community Stuff 11/26/13

Middle Street Walk: Holiday treats, gifts, décor & more!

Celebrate Middle Street Walk
at the Sargent House Museum
December 14, 2013
11:00AM-4:00PM

Come to the Sargent House to see—and purchase—fabulous decorations provided by local florist Blue Gate Gardens, decorator Katerina Gates, and others. Snack on holiday treats and enjoy our programming: 

  • 12:00-1:00PM – Listen to a chamber music concert provided by Rockport High School musicians, led by director Nathan Cohen
  • 2:30-3:00PM – Take in scenes from Judith Sargent Murray’s 1795 play “The Medium,” staged by the North Shore Folklore Theatre Co.
  • All Day – Check out the museum store for holiday gifts and treats

Middle Street Walk features open houses, concerts, special programs and traditional decorations throughout the afternoon, focused in and around historic Middle Street. Gloucester’s historic neighborhood welcomes visitors for a number of special events throughout the day, from arts to music to dance. Locations include Cape Ann Museum, Sawyer Free Library, Trinity Church, Unitarian Universalist Church, Sargent House Museum, and more!

For more information, visit our website: www.sargenthouse.org or our Facebook event page.


 
Thanksgiving Post from Pop Gallery

Home for the Holidays!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday this week/weekend!

Check out a few Holiday goodies in our “Home for the Holidays” digital edition lookbook! Thanks to our amazing patrons for a great Fall season thus far!

Click the link to see the book! https://www.dropbox.com/s/zoy86gbqnricdq6/thanksgiving_pop.pdf

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And please remember to support your local shops on Small Business Saturday!

SHOP LOCAL. STRESS LESS.


Photos With Santa Toy Drive

Angela Cook submits-

Could you help me spread the word?  This year’s toy drive will be happening on Seaside Village Open House Weekend.  The flyer is below:

Toy Drive Cards


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Please distribute:

Due to the high level of interest for the webinar presentation on Monday, December 2, by the SBA and USDA, we had to switch to meeting software that could accommodate a larger number of participants. In order to access this meeting remotely, please dial 866-647-1746 and enter the pass code 6042534. To view the presentations, go to https://secure.join.me/NEROMeeting, enter your name and “knock” for access. 

For more information, contact Olivia Rugo, Northeast Regional Office, at olivia.rugo@noaa.gov or 978-675-2167.

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East Gloucester Timelapse From the Office Window 11/24/13

Clouds just cranking by to the right and cars zipping by to the left.

and here’s one from a similar view- shot composed by Eloise and Madeline-

Community Photos 11/25/13

Hi Joey,

Although I really do try, I can’t stop myself from pulling off the road  to take sunset pictures. I am constantly amazed by the variation of beauty this planet gives by spinning around. How lucky we are!

Best-

Janet, Sunset Addict

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Trimming The Kent Circle Christmas Tree photo from Anthony Marks

Nick Curcuru and Pat Cusick string lights on the tree.

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Hi Joey,

I’d like to share some photos of a cold day at the Cox House (Essex Green Belt) on Rt 133 in Essex (just before the Blue Marlin on the Right).   It’s a great spot along the Essex River, with nice pathways for walking and bird walking.   Very dog friendly.  There was an artist there painting when we were there today.  Even on a cold day it is a beautiful spot.

Mary Barker

Community Stuff 11/25/13

FREE EVENT. Christmas Sing-Along with Jayzee and the Singing Seniors at the Rose Baker Senior Center

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Calendar and Goin’ On—Please!!!

Gloucester Stroke Club meeting Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 6:30 pm.

Please note change in time. Addison Gilbert Hospital, Logan Room.  First Floor, Front Entrance. Annual Potluck Supper.

Please bring a main dish or dessert to share and a $5. gift for the Yankee Swap.

New Members are welcome and guest encouraged to attend.

For more information Please call Virginia 978-283-3968 or Cynthia 978-283-2633.

Holiday_Artist Flyer 2013


Chorus North Shore Holiday Concerts 12/7 and 12/8

For their 82nd season, under the direction of Sonja Dahlgren Pryor, Chorus North Shore is performing Handel’s Messiah with the Honors Youth Choir, the Festival Orchestra and joined by soloists Jean Danton, soprano; Martin Kelly, tenor, and Mark Andrew Cleveland, bass.

Concerts are Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 8:00 PM at Our Lady of Hope Church on Linebrook Road in Ipswich and Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Hamilton-Wenham High School, 775 Bay Road in South Hamilton

Tickets are available now on the website at www.chorusnorthshore.org and will be on sale at the door before the concerts

General Admission: $20; Seniors/Students $17; Children 12 and under are free

Handel’s Messiah, one of the best-know and most frequently performed choral works in Western music, was originally an Easter offering first performed at the Musick Hall in Dublin on April 13, 1742. On Christmas Day in 1818 the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston performed Messiah and since that time it has become a perennial Christmas favorite. And now it has become a biennial tradition for Chorus North Shore.

Chorus North ShoreChoruspixCNS Youth Choir Rockport Concert 4-27-2012 4-23-36 PM

GloucesterCast 11/24/13 With Host Joey Ciaramitaro and Guest Toby Pett

 GloucesterCast Taped 11/24/13 With Host Joey Ciaramitaro and Guest Toby Pett

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Topics Include: Coffee From The DR: Cafe Molido,  Sleeping and Caffeine, New Sticky Fingers Bakery, What Would You Do With City of Gloucester Free Cash, New Steps In Front Of The Police Station, Ken Hecht, Dollar Shave Club, Gillette vs Dollar Shave Club, Peppermint Scented Ass Wipes, Vickie Van Ness’ Holiday Fair Guide (post of the week), Thankless People, Seacoast Holiday Fair, Cape Ann Farmer’s Market Harvest Market, Mailtland Farm Spicy Pickles, Duckworth’s Bistrot Pickle Juice Martini, New GMG Technical Jerseys, Dressing For Winter, Thanksgiving Eve at The Rhumb Line, Local Joints Open For Breakfast On Thanksgiving Morning, New Management At Former Catch 22/Fiesta Pub, Trina Fuller, Mexican Touch.

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The Lovely Cookie Ladies At The 2013 Seacoast Holiday Fair

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You would not believe how many incredible cookies were made for the fair.  Nice turnout where 100% of the money goes back to the residents.

I happen to know these beautiful women and they’re even sweeter than the cookies.

Smile