Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

Lobsters are en route!

Alice Gardner submits-

Cape Ann Chamber Launches Drive for Special Cape Ann License Plate         

Reaching out to the Cape Ann community for license plate design proposals.

The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce today announced the kick-off of the organization’s initiative to create a special Cape Ann License Plate. Following months of preliminary planning work, including the creation of a Cape Ann License Plate task force and consultations with the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), the Chamber is now moving into the design and public outreach phase of the license plate drive.

From now through October 15 the Chamber is reaching out to the Cape Ann community at large, inviting the submission of design ideas to create a distinctive and compelling image for Cape Ann’s special license plate. The license plate design competition is open to all who love and treasure Cape Ann, including residents and visitors, professional and amateur artists and graphic designers, the young and the young at heart.

All proceeds from the special Cape Ann license plate will be used for the sole purpose of marketing and promoting Cape Ann and the Cape Ann communities of Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport. “There is tremendous support and enthusiasm among the Chamber’s Board of Directors for this initiative, and we are thrilled to have this opportunity to raise a significant and sustained new source of funding to support Cape Ann tourism,” said Chamber C.E.O. Robert Heidt.

The RMV contracts with 3M to assist in the design and manufacture of special license plates, and designs are contained on reflective sheeting on the aluminum plates. All Cape Ann license plate design submissions must conform to the design specifications and restrictions detailed here. The RMV advises: “When it comes to the design of license plates, Simple is Better!” View a sample license plate here.

The Cape Ann License Plate task force will review all design submissions and choose three finalists, whose designs will be submitted to the community for a final round of public input. The winning designer will win a prize of $1,000, while the two runners up will receive prizes of $250 each. (Please note that prizes will be awarded upon issuance of the first Cape Ann license plates.)

“With so many creative Cape Ann people putting their artistic and design talents into this initiative, the new Cape Ann license plate is certain to become a top seller, not only locally but across the state,” said Chamber President Ed Collard.

The Massachusetts special license plate program is authorized and guided by the provisions of section 2F of Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws.  Under the law, once the Cape Ann license plate design has been selected and approved, the Chamber must collect at least 1,500 applications (together with the $40 special plate fee with each application) before manufacture and distribution of the special Cape Ann can begin.  The application fees will be held in escrow until the 1,500 threshold is reached.

For further information contact Peter Webber at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce at peter@capeannchamber.com.

Gregory G. Walsh | Director of Marketing & Communications

978-283-1601 | gregory@capeannchamber.com

978-283-4740 fax

Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
33 Commercial Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
capeannchamber.com | capeannvacations.com | rockportusa.com

Meg Jarrett from Film Cape Ann forwards-

The Massachusetts Film Office announces HBO and Playtone will begin filming Olive Kitteridge next week on MA’s North Shore throughout the fall of 2013.

Olive Kitteridge is an HBO Miniseries presentation of a Playtone production in association with As Is.  Executive producers Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Frances McDormand and Jane Anderson. The miniseries is directed by Lisa Cholodenko. Steven Shareshian is co-executive producer; David Coatsworth is producer. 

The four-part drama stars Frances McDormand in the title role and Richard Jenkins as Olive’s husband, Henry Kitteridge.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Elizabeth Strout, with a screenplay written by Jane Anderson, Olive Kitteridge tells the alternately poignantly sweet, acerbically funny, and devastatingly tragic story of a seemingly placid New England town wrought with illicit affairs, crime and tragedy, told through the lens of Olive, whose wicked wit and harsh demeanor mask a warm but troubled heart and a staunch moral center.

“We welcome HBO and Playtone to Massachusetts” said Lisa Strout, Director of the Massachusetts Film Office, “and are so pleased to host such a prestigious project with such extraordinary talent.”

This is HBO’s second recent production in the Commonwealth of MA.  “Clear History,” with Larry David, Jon Hamm, Kate Hudson, Michael Keaton and Eva Mendes, filmed on the North Shore in 2012. The comedy debuted on HBO earlier this month.

The production has hired and cast locally, and is utilizing Massachusetts-based businesses and services. 

Cspe Ann Giclee will be hosting a mug up and Sista Felicia will be making homemade Italian donuts and Italian c cookies.

If you ordered through Kickstarter and would like to pick up your cookbook  before they get shipped out you can go to Cape Ann Giclle Sunday from 9-11

Phil Scannell writes-

Wednesday night in Gloucester and so much going on we stopped into Jalapenos for   Jimmy Muniz night and you would have thought it was Saturday night place was packed ,. really gets you to thinking what a wonderful place we live and what a great group of people we are surrounded by.  Lynne and I happy to be part of it.

Final Full Weekend of 2013 Sargent House Season

If this weekend was your last opportunity to tour the entire Sargent House
Museum for a year, you’d jump at the chance, right?!? Come visit us for our
final full weekend of the 2013 season, this Friday, Saturday and Sunday from
12-4pm. Tours depart on the hour. Grab a friend, view our unique John Singer
Sargent gallery, and see the “Writing Closet” of America’s first published
feminist, Judith Sargent Murray (1751-1820). See you then!
Sargent House Museum | 49 Middle Street, Gloucester, MA |
www.sargenthouse.org

Essex “Shop, Stroll, Explore”

Saturday, September 21, 2013 rain date Sunday, September 22, 2013

Along the Town of Essex River Causeway

Essex Cultural District & Merchants Group presents

“ SHOP , STROLL, EXPLORE”

Saturday, September 21 10am-4pm

Rain Date Sunday, September 22 12pm-4pm

Following the Essex River Causeway

On September 21^st Essex will celebrate its diverse community of Antiquers, Artisans, Historians & Foodies. Stroll along the Essex Causeway; enjoy the coastal salt marsh and river views. Shop over 50 antique, specialty shops, and crafter & artisans booths. Enjoy a delicious meal, glass of wine or cocktail at one of our well know restaurants, many with coastal views. Explore our historical museums. For more information and event updates go online to www.visitessexma.com and – follow us on Facebook.