Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

The creator of goodmorninggloucester.org Lover of all things Gloucester and Cape Ann. GMG where we bring you the very best our town has to offer because we love to share all the great news and believe that by promoting others in our community everyone wins.

Speechless.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Long Island Middle School Bans Footballs, Other Recreational Items

Concerns About Injuries Prompted Ban, Port Washington Officials Say
October 7, 2013 5:19 PM

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Worries about injuries at a Long Island school have led to a surprising ban.

As CBS 2’s Jennifer McLogan reported Monday, officials at Weber Middle School in Port Washington are worried that students are getting hurt during recess. Thus, they have instituted a ban on footballs, baseballs, lacrosse balls, or anything that might hurt someone on school grounds.

I honestly don’t know if I’m more sickened by this, sad by this or outraged by this.

Maybe a combination of all three but what stands out right now is the pit in my stomach over this debacle and ruination of our society by idiots who want to protect everyone from themselves at all times and in doing so decimate of the basic rights of passage of our youth.

How in the world do these parents in this community not step in and fire this school administrator immediately?  What is the end game here? 

Revolting.  Disgusting. 

Listen I was the skinny nerdy kid who was the last kid picked for sides on any athletic game in the schoolyard.  It sucked.  But you know what?  By being the last kid picked all the time it motivated me to eat healthier, lift weights, pack on a little mass and get into sports where I could compete.    I’m glad my feelings got hurt.  It motivated me at the gym when I got older.  It made me want to study harder and save money in my 20s so I could show those girls who were attracted to the over developed stud athletes instead of me that I was worthy.  Still awkward looking well into my 40s, doesn’t matter, if you don’t think I don’t carry that feeling of being the last guy picked for the schoolyard teams into my workouts today you’re crazy.

Enough with the coddling FFS.

See, Now These Are The Kind Of Politicians We Need Tackling The Real Issues!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

image

Keeping tabs on beer: Michigan law would require each beer pint to have 16 ounces

By Simon Moya-Smith, Staff Writer, NBC News

Several Michigan lawmakers want to make sure that a pint of beer is really a pint of beer, down to the last drop.

A bill introduced last week would amend the Liquor Control Act to make it an offense to “advertise or sell any glass of beer as a pint in this state unless that glass contains at least 16 ounces of beer.”

Rep. Brandon Dillon, a Grand Rapids Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, told NBC News that the goal is not to punish dishonest pub and restaurant owners, but to prompt proprietors to sell what they advertise.

Doesn’t matter that Detroit is  a shithole of epic proportions with miles and miles of abandoned properties, gangs and crime rates that routinely place them at the worst in the  country. These MFers right here are tackling the REAL issues.  The ones that affect the average Joe. 

Politicians with their heart in the right place.  Insuring that when you order a pint of beer they aren’t serving you a 14.5 oz glass of beer.

Get me the name of that pol that introduced this bill.  I want to pat him on the back.  That politician should be celebrated around the country and when he dies they should have a special day each year named after him where the whole state of Michigan goes to Irish Pubs and gets crushed on Guinness in honor of the great politician who introduced the “A Pint of Beer should be a Pint of Beer Bill to the legislature”

Goddamn brilliant piece of politicking right there. 

Detroit:

1. The city’s unfunded liabilities top $18 billion.

2. The city owes money to over 100,000 creditors.

3. Nearly 80,000 buildings have been abandoned and many are unsecured.

4. Population of Detroit has fallen from 1.86 million in 1950 to 700,000 today.

5. Some 47 percent of properties are delinquent in paying their taxes.

6. Police take an average of 58 minutes to respond to calls.

7. Only 8.7 percent of violent crimes are solved and Detroit has the highest crime rate in US of large cities.

8. Manufacturing jobs in the city have slid from a peak of 200,000 to just 20,000 today.

9. Only 7 percent of the city’s eighth graders are proficient in reading.

10. The city manager says its retirement system is underfunded by $3.5 billion.

But you can get a Goddamn Proper Pint By Golly!

image

Thanks to Toby Pett for the inspiration for this post.

Community Photos 10/8/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Al Bezanson submits Rocky Neck Car Ready For Export-

Maaco was here

Juni Van Dyke submits-

Photo from senior citizens

Joey, 

Tom here. Thanks for posting our flyer last week. A handful of hardy souls showed up with their dogs to party in the rain before the Pats game to help raise funds for MassPAWS. Others came and went or just swung by to donate. 

Although the weather kept most everybody home, those who attended had a blast. We are looking forward to doing it again soon. Thanks again GMG, TD Bank, Petco, Animal Krackers, and Quinn’s Canine Cafe. 

Sincerely,

Tom

tgparty

Fall Fest Phtos from Anthony Marks

DSC01844DSC01845DSC01852DSC01853DSC01862DSC01864DSC01865DSC01868DSC01870

Community Stuff 10/8/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Nubar’s Workshop in October at Rock Neck Cultural Center

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER for this two day workshop for photographers with Nubar Alexanian

SEQUENCING, EDITING & DIRECTION  Here’s the link: http://nubar.com/rncc_workshop.html

Backyard Growers Update:

greenvotepeppervotepumpkinvote

Backyard Growers is going to win $10,000 with your VOTE!

We are rockin’ the Tom’s of Maine competition to win $10,000 to support Gloucester school gardens! The top 15 organizations with the most votes each win $10K, and Backyard Growers is at #7!!! Please continue to vote once a day until October 15! VOTE HERE = http://goo.gl/CKY3Nk (click on Massachusetts, then vote!)

Application deadline coming up for 2014 growing season

The leaves might be turning, but we’re already thinking ahead to spring! Low- to moderate-income Gloucester residents are invited to apply to the Backyard Growers Program to receive a raised bed garden and other program services. The application deadline is Friday, October 11. Download an application here = http://capeannfarmersmarket.org/backyard-growers/files/2014_BYG_Final_App.pdf

NEW! Get a Garden/Give a Garden Program

Not income-eligible to be in the program, but want a garden? When you purchase a garden through Backyard Growers you are also making it possible for a low-income Gloucester family to receive a garden and grow some of their own food. Contact Lara at 978-317-8025 or lara@beaconstreetfarm.org for details.

Cyclocross 2013 From Paul Boudreau

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hey Joey,

wanted to share this short video. Some guy from New York made this amazing video of the race. I know there’s a lot of artists in town and they would appreciate how beautiful the Park looks in this:

Also some amazing shots from a website in Australia:

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2013/10/gran-prix-of-gloucester-cyclocross-in-photos/

5 min video of some pilot whales off Gloucester from Eric Swanson

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joe

 Here is a 5 min video of some pilot whales off Gloucester you may want to share with your readers.

Eric Swanson

Community Stuff 10/7/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Cape Ann Painter and Photographer Group – Meeting October 11

Hi Everyone,
The Cape Ann Painter and Photographer Group will meet at Cape Ann Giclee, Fine Art Printing and Gallery, 20 Washington Street on Friday October 11 from 10:30 to 12 AM. James Eves has graciously offered to present an overview about the range of possibilities of Photoshop for painters and photographers. He will be holding a Photoshop class in early 2014. He will also give us  a tour of his new photo studio and talk about his ideas about sharing this facility with the community.
Come join us for an informative program and a chance to get together. Coffee and pastry will be served.
New members are always welcome.
Hope to see you then.
Alice Gardner

Ward 1 councilor Paul McGeary submits-

Joey:

St. John’s Church held a “blessing of the Animals” service on Friday, Oct. 4, in honor of St. Francis Day. Here are some pictures from the event.

Paul

animalsblessing

Katherine Richmond writes-

Need Your Vote, I put up a Photograph in this contest of Eckhart’s. The contest has a theme and thought this one matched one of his quotes. Like and Share, Thanks!

The Power of Photography; An Eckhart Tolle TV Contest

Katherine needs your vote!

GloucesterCast Podcast With Guests Lowell Peabody, Toby Pett and Host Joey Ciaramitaro Taped October 6, 2013

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

GloucesterCast Podcast With Guests Lowell Peabody, Toby Pett and Host Joey Ciaramitaro Taped October 6, 2013

Click to play-

Host Joey Ciaramitaro

GloucesterCast Podcast with Lowell Peabody, Toby Pett and Host Joey Ciaramitaro. 

Topics include introducing Lowell Peabody as a new official GMG contributor, Gloucester’s image now vs 10 years ago, Downtown Gloucester Real Estate Investments, GMG 2013 Gloucester Election Poll

To listen to past GMG Podcasts click here for the episode listings

If you enjoy the podcast could you help get it recognized in the iTunes directory by rating it here in the iTunes store

Congrats Lowell and welcome to the team-

DSC00673

Huge Update On the Adventures of Bubba the Missing Tortoise!!!!!!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

IMG_2296 - Copy

Dear Joey,

As you know, a few weeks ago our dear family pet of 24 years decided to wander off into the South Woods of Rockport while staying with a friend of ours. We were having renovations done on our Pigeon Cove home and Bill Crosby of Thatcher Road, generously offered to take in our 64 year old pet tortoise until the work was completed. September 20th was an exceptionally warm day and Bubba decided to break out of his pen to take a look around. Tortoises can move pretty quickly when they want to. He had at least a two to three hour head start before he was missed. For the next eleven days Bill, myself and my husband Geoff, family, friends, neighbors and people we do not even know searched the woods daily. Bubba is a South American Red Footed Tortoise. After living with us for nearly two and half decades, he is quite domesticated. He comes to us when he is called, follows us around the house like a puppy, eats out of our hands and is truly a member of our family. 

Typically Bubba lives outside in a secure pen during the summer and moves into the family house when the days and nights get chilly. Needless to say we were very anxious to find him as the fall weather grew seasonally cooler. A multitude of compassionate people from all over Cape Ann volunteered their time searching for our well camouflaged, vagabond creature. Countless acres were covered countless times. Tiny pre-schoolers from Rainbow Day School, located down the street from where Bubba was last seen, joined in searching the school yard under the supervision of the school’s owner Wendy Hyatt and her staff. Some of the September evenings dipped near to freezing with very cool day time temperaures. Bill and Geoff hired professional dog trackers up from Connecticut to find him, but  the results fell short of a happy ending.

Then on October 1st as I was leaving work, I received a call from my husband. “Guess who has come home?” I was ecstatic! It seems Geoff had gone into the woods once again calling Bubba’s name. This time however he decided to activate the door-lock alarm  of his car over and over. Bubba’s home pen is near where the family cars are parked. Geoff wondered if Bubba would recognize the sound he had heard daily for nearly eight years. What happened next fell into a miraculous timing of events. Geoff left after about an hour with no sign of Bubba. A little more than an hour later Bill heard his dog Buddy barking. The handsome, black German Shepherd usually only barks when cars are coming up the dirt road to their secluded woodland home. There were no cars approaching. when Bill went outside to investigate, he saw Buddy barking at something on the hill about twenty yards from his porch. He could not believe his eyes! There was Bubba sitting on a rock in the sunlight looking down at them! He snapped a picture with his i phone, sent it to Geoff and the rest was nothing but a blissful, happy reunion!

We deeply wish to thank everyone who helped us in any way to rescue our Bubba!  During the weeks he was gone we were sad and fearful for our pet. We were also hopeful that HE MIGHT FIND US!  And so he did!

With appreciation and grateful hearts,

Bubba the tortoise, Barbara and the Goddard family

GHB photos from Lori Viator

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hello Joey,

The sand has been so low at Good Harbor Beach lately! Today I noticed that the remnants of a rock wall and pilings are now exposed. (They’re across the creek from the grassy area of the Bass Rock Beach Club.) I’ve never seen these before, and wondered if they’re part of the old second footbridge. Perhaps Fred Bodin has an archival image of this to share. The rocks are mortared, and there are two more pilings sticking up between the wall and the creek (by the people’s feet in the photo).

GHB_wall_Oct13GHB_wall_pilings_Oct13

Liz Gerstein Has Some Nice Things To Say

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hey Joey,

I am sending you a post I made on my new facebook page.  It’s a page for food, drink and travel.  The post is about Gloucester and your blog, so I only felt it fair, to send it along to you.  In the next couple of days I hope to be posting and reviewing the rest of my short trip to Gloucester a few weeks ago.  The original post is found here – https://www.facebook.com/confectionsbyliz?ref=hl

BTW, it was nice to meet you and I do hope to send you a picture with representing with the sticker soon.  I was going to take one out at Valley Forge but its closed right now.  My husband said the backyard was just too boring.

Liz

Post –

Ok, so I am so far behind in posting. I really need an extra couple of hours in a day to get everything I would like to get done. So, from Boston we headed north to Gloucester, MA. I have to say a few things, it’s a little slice of heaven on earth and if you have any interested in the area, or you want to see beautiful photography and many times have a good laugh; you have to check out the blog Good Morning Gloucester. Lots of information and lots of fun!
Joey C. and all his contributors will keep you up to date with what is happening in the region and post breathtaking pictures. You can also check out some area webcams. There are polls, videos, podcasts, general information about the area and rants that have made this the best blog out there – check it out! As for Gloucester, it is a great place to go. Great food, great entertainment, too many festivals to name, really friendly people and views that are just simply amazing.

Community Stuff 10/6/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

image

The Gloucester High School Docksiders, the high school stage band, will be conducting a concert to benefit the Open Door Food Pantry.  Details are

    When         October 19th (Saturday) at 7 pm

    Where        Gloucester High School auditorium

    Admission    Food donations for the Food Pantry

Please let me know if you need any further information on this event.

Thank you

Andy Withers

Join Kate Tarlow Morgan at the Gloucester Writers Center on October 9th and November 13th from 7-9 pm in two workshops on the idea of Proprioception. Less of a class and more of a lab to explore an “approach” the workshops will delve into both poetic and physiologic arenas through demonstrations and practice of proprioception as neurological response and readings of Proprioception, as the text by Charles Olson. These workshops hope to be ongoing so as to build a language together and ‘unclose’ the subject. Bring Comfy clothes, a notebook and Olsen’s Proprioception. (If you can’t find it, we can make Xeroxes). BYOB or a snack to share. RSVP’s would be appreciated for spacing purposes: katetarlowmorgan@gmail.com or call Kate at 917-399-7468.

Founded in 2010,The Gloucester Writers Center’s mission is to preserve, promote and celebrate Cape Ann’s rich literary legacy and to encourage writing and citizenship in the belief that all voices count.  For more information about GWC go to gloucesterwriters.org.

Colleen Apostolos Does Murals

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Colleen creates beautiful children’s murals.  Here’s one she did for my beannie.  Best part is when she listens to what the child would like and they interact so the children take ownership of what is being created.

Thanks so much Colleen.  (She also teaches children art classes at Island Art and Hobby)

See here for info-

Arts and Crafts For Little Ones With Colleen Apostolos-Marsh At Island Art and Hobby

2013-10-04 09.18.032013-10-04 09.19.22

Jim Clyde Has Some Nice Things To Say

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Good to see you last night at the “Taste of Gloucester”!   The photos came out great!

I have to tell you that the work you do to promote the cultural, artistic and business enterprises around Cape Ann is invaluable and incalculable!  As a small example, today I’m meeting a friend at Mamie’s for lunch (again!)… I would NEVER have know about that great spot without a head’s up from GMG!

Keep up the good work!  ….(and thanks again for posting my Scottish blurb!)

Jim

Jim Clyde

The Open Door Autumn Breakfast, Thursday, October 24, at 7:30 a.m. at Cruiseport Gloucester

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

It is that time of year again! Will you let GMG readers know that The Open Door Autumn Breakfast is Thursday, October 24, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Cruiseport Gloucester? We will kick off the Thanksgiving Food Drive season with this gathering of community spirit and goodwill.

RSVP at http://autumnbreakfast.eventbrite.com OR info@foodpantry.org by October 21.

Thanks for helping us get the word out!

1St Annual Glen Doherty Memorial Road Race Tomorrow!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

A big thank you to GMG for helping promote the 1st Annual Glen Doherty Memorial Road Race we have over 35 runners for Gloucester & Rockport!
Tomorrow will be awesome! (race day registrations are good – Joey come and walk with your girls!!)
Muffy White
www.muffywhite.com

image

ST. JOHN’S GLOUCESTER 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OCT.6TH

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

150 years ago, as the Civil War raged, so many of Gloucester’s eligible soldiers went off to fight that a manpower shortage for our booming fishing industry seemed inevitable. The vacuum that resulted offered opportunity for the thousands of fisherman from the Canadian Maritimes who flocked to Gloucester. Since many of these men worshiped in the Anglican Church, Gloucester businessman Theron Dale and the other members of Gloucester’s Episcopal Society saw the need to create a free parish to meet the spiritual needs of these itinerant fisherman. This led to the building of St. John’s Episcopal Church on Middle Street where it can be found today.
   
    St. John’s will have a special Evensong service to commemorate this event. The choir will offer a rich variety of music consisting of psalms, anthems, prayers and canticles. Evensong is sung daily in Cathedrals and colleges in many parts of the world.

The Canticles (Magnificat and Nunc dimittis) are to be sung with a setting by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The Anthems will include “From the rising of the sun” by Henry Wilson, organist of Christ Church, Hartford. This will represent music that may have been sung when the church was in its early years.
   
    One of the highlights of the service will be the unveiling and blessing of the Dorcas Window in honor of all the women of St. John’s and their contribution to the Gloucester community. The parish choir will sing a new anthem by Alan Lewis, entitled “The Windows” with words by early 17th century priest and poet George Herbert, to mark the dedication of the new window by Adele Q. Ervin.
   
    After the service there will be a reception commemorating the founding of the church by Theron Dale and others in 1863. Still dedicated to its mission to lend a helping hand to the people of Cape Ann, St. John’s will celebrate its storied past and the blessings of the present at this wonderful event. We welcome you to come and join us.
   
    .

Hand painting by Lawrence Brooks

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

This painting in hanging proudly at Sheedy Park and I had the pleasure of meeting the artist on one of my visits to some friends.

I hope you are able to share this picture with GMG.

Thank you,

Melissa Cox

City Councilor Ward 2

IMG_20131002_162316

Strange Clouds From Anthony Marks

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey
I was taking photos yesterday Oct 3,when i noticed these strange
clouds in the sky. It was about 5:30 pm. Maybe someone on the blog
might have some info?
  Best, Anthony

IMG_5676IMG_5677